Word Study for H1240 (בְּקַר)

bᵉqar /bek-ar'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to בָּקַר

Meaning(properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider)

KJV usageinquire, make search.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bᵉqar — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word bᵉqar, represented by H1240, is a term used to inquire or make search. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in scripture. Its usage is concentrated in the book of Ezra, where it consistently refers to an official investigation, often at the command of a king, to verify historical records or assess a situation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical context, H1240 is always associated with royal decrees and the examination of official records. For instance, King Darius orders a search to be made in the archives at Babylon to find the original decree from King Cyrus concerning the house of God Ezra 6:1. This follows an earlier request to let a search be made in the king's treasure house Ezra 5:17. Conversely, opponents of the rebuilding effort prompt a search of the historical records to prove the city has a rebellious past Ezra 4:15. This leads to a command where search is made, and the city's history of insurrection is confirmed Ezra 4:19. The term is also used when Ezra is commissioned by the king to enquire about Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with God's law Ezra 7:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words clarify the process and purpose of the search:

H7761 sûwm (make, command): This verb often initiates the action. A king would make H7761 a decree that a search be conducted Ezra 6:1. Similarly, after receiving a letter of accusation, a king commanded H7761 that a search be made Ezra 4:19.
H2942 ṭᵉʻêm (decree, command): This noun represents the official order that authorizes the search. A search H1240 is made because a king has issued a decree H2942 Ezra 6:1.
H7912 shᵉkach (find): This is the direct result of a successful search. A search is made in the book of records so that one may find H7912 information and know the truth about a matter Ezra 4:15.
H3046 yᵉdaʻ (know): This is the ultimate goal of the inquiry. The search is performed so that the king and his officials can know H3046 the facts recorded in historical documents Ezra 4:15.

Theological Significance

The use of H1240 highlights several key administrative and historical concepts in the book of Ezra:

Royal Authority: A search is not an arbitrary action but an official investigation sanctioned by the highest authority. Kings issue commands for a search to be made, demonstrating their power to investigate matters within their realm (Ezra 4:19, Ezra 6:1).
Primacy of Written Records: The inquiries are directed at specific archives, such as the "house of the rolls" Ezra 6:1 or the "book of the records" Ezra 4:15. This shows the critical role of documented history and legal precedent in settling disputes and verifying claims during the post-exilic period.
Inquiry for Legal and Religious Governance: The purpose of the search is to establish facts for governance. This can be to find a historical decree to permit the rebuilding of God's house Ezra 5:17 or for Ezra himself to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem based on the "law of thy God" Ezra 7:14, linking secular investigation to divine law.

Summary

In summary, H1240 bᵉqar is a precise Aramaic term for an official, authorized search. It is not a word for casual looking but for a formal investigation commanded by a king and carried out in state archives. Its occurrences in Ezra are pivotal, driving the narrative by either creating obstacles for the Israelites or, ultimately, providing the legal justification needed to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. The word underscores the importance of historical records and royal decrees in the administration of the Persian empire and the unfolding of God's purposes for His people.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

בַקַּרוּ
יִתְבַּקַּר
יְבַקַּר
בַקָּרָא

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

5 verses, all in Ezra — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.