בָּקַע

bâqaʻ /baw-kah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
KJV usagemake a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear, win.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bâqaʻ, represented by H1234, is a primitive root meaning to cleave, rend, break, rip, or open. It appears 51 times across 50 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning encompasses a forceful and often violent action of splitting something apart, whether it be the earth, a body of water, a city wall, or even an egg.

Beyond its immediate sense of a forceful split, H1234 often implies a complete and decisive separation, creating an opening or a passage where none existed, or a violent rupture that fundamentally alters the integrity of the object. This is not merely a surface crack or damage, but a definitive sundering, whether by divine intervention or human force. The action can be initiated externally, as when God cleaves a rock, or internally, as when something "breaks out" or "bursts" from within, highlighting the dynamic and often transformative nature of the verb.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H1234 is frequently used to describe God's miraculous power over the natural world. It is the word used when God divided the sea for Israel's escape Exodus 14:21 and when the fountains of the great deep were broken up during the flood Genesis 7:11. God also clave the rocks in the wilderness to provide water for His people Psalms 78:15. In a prophetic sense, the Mount of Olives is foretold to cleave in two at the Lord's return Zechariah 14:4. The term is also used to describe extreme acts of human violence, such as when armies would ripped up pregnant women in conquest Amos 1:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand on the concept of breaking, opening, and rending:

  • H7167 qâraʻ (to rend, literally or figuratively; tear): This word often conveys a similar tearing action. It is used to describe how a wild beast would tear its prey Hosea 13:8 and, figuratively, the command to rend your heart and not your garments Joel 2:13.
  • H7665 shâbar (to burst; break, crush, destroy): This term often describes shattering or breaking something into pieces. It is used when a reed is broken and cannot be leaned on Ezekiel 29:7 and is also used figuratively to describe a broken and contrite heart Psalms 51:17.
  • H6605 pâthach (to open wide; to loosen, begin): While H1234 often implies a violent split, H6605 can describe a more controlled opening. It is used when the windows of heaven were opened during the flood Genesis 7:11 and when God promises to open a fountain for sin and for uncleanness Zechariah 13:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1234 is demonstrated in its contrasting applications:

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The word showcases God's absolute power to split open the very fabric of creation, seen in the dividing of the sea and the breaking up of the fountains of the deep Genesis 7:11. This same power is used for judgment, as a stormy wind is sent to rend a wall Ezekiel 13:11.
  • Miraculous Provision and Deliverance: The act of cleaving is a means of salvation. God clave the rock to provide life-giving water Isaiah 48:21 and divided the sea to create a path of escape Nehemiah 9:11.
  • Human Depravity: In stark contrast, the word is used to describe the horrific brutality of warfare, where conquerors ripped up the innocent to enlarge their own border Amos 1:13, highlighting the depths of human sin.
  • Spiritual Breakthrough: The word signifies a sudden and powerful emergence of hope and restoration. In a promise of blessing, light break forth as the morning Isaiah 58:8, and in a renewed wilderness, waters break out Isaiah 35:6.

Summary

In summary, H1234 is a powerful and dynamic verb that signifies a forceful splitting or bursting forth. It is a word of immense contrasts, used to describe God's magnificent acts of creation, deliverance, and judgment, as well as the most heinous acts of human violence. From cleaving a rock for water to breaking through an enemy line, bâqaʻ illustrates that the act of breaking open can lead to either salvation or destruction.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 51 occurrences, inflected in 34 grammatical forms.

  • Niphal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 4×
  • Niphal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 4×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 3×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Piel Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Qal Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Plural common gender 1×

+ 22 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 50 verses across 24 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (7 verses).

2
Genesis
2
Exodus
1
Numbers
2
Joshua
1
Judges
1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
5
2 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
3
2 Chronicles
1
Nehemiah
3
Job
4
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Ecclesiastes
7
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
5
Ezekiel
2
Hosea
1
Amos
1
Micah
1
Habakkuk
1
Zechariah

Verse Explorer

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