English · KJV
H1281

בָּרִיחַ

bârîyach /baw-ree'-akh/ Ask about this word
Rootor בָּרִחַ · (shortened) from בָּרַח
Meaninga fugitive, i.e. the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name
KJV usagecrooked, noble, piercing.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bârîyach — 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 Hebrew word bârîyach, represented by H1281, holds several distinct meanings, including crooked, noble, and piercing. Derived from a root meaning "a fugitive," it is used to describe a fleeing serpent and a constellation. It appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, making each usage significant.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of H1281 are varied across its three appearances. In Job 26:13, it describes the crooked serpent H5175 that God's hand has formed H2342 in the heavens H8064, suggesting a celestial body or constellation. In Isaiah, the word is used twice with different meanings. It describes the "piercing" H1281 serpent H5175, identified as leviathan H3882, which the LORD will punish with His strong H2389 sword H2719 Isaiah 27:1. In contrast, it refers to the nobles H1281 of Babylon, whom God will bring down H3381, their cry being heard in the ships H591 Isaiah 43:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H1281 appears:

  • H5175 nâchâsh (serpent): Defined as "a snake (from its hiss); serpent," this word is the subject described by H1281 as both "piercing" and "crooked." It is present in God's creative act in the heavens Job 26:13 and as the object of His judgment Isaiah 27:1.
  • H3882 livyâthân (leviathan): This term for a "wreathed animal" or "sea-monster" is directly identified as the "piercing" H1281 serpent in Isaiah 27:1. It often symbolizes a powerful, chaotic force that is subject to God's authority.
  • H3381 yârad (to descend): This root, meaning "to descend" or "bring down," describes the fate of the "nobles" H1281 of Babylon. Its use demonstrates God's power to lower the exalted Isaiah 43:14.
  • H6129 ʻăqallâthôwn (crooked): This word, meaning "tortuous," is used in parallel with H1281 to describe the serpent leviathan, reinforcing its winding or twisting nature Isaiah 27:1.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1281 centers on God's sovereignty over all realms of power.

  • Divine Judgment: In Isaiah, the word is tied to divine punishment. The LORD's "sore and great and strong sword" will punish the "piercing" H1281 serpent Isaiah 27:1, and He will bring down the "nobles" H1281 of Babylon Isaiah 43:14, showing His authority over both mythical and political powers.
  • Creative Authority: The appearance in Job shifts the focus to creation. God's spirit H7307 garnished the heavens H8064, and His hand "formed" the "crooked" H1281 serpent Job 26:13. This places a seemingly chaotic entity within the scope of God's purposeful and sovereign creative work.
  • Symbol of Opposition: Whether as a "piercing serpent" or the "nobles" of a pagan empire, the figures described by H1281 represent forces that are ultimately subdued by God's power, reinforcing His ultimate supremacy.

Summary

In summary, H1281 is a rare and multifaceted word that contributes to significant biblical themes. While its base meaning relates to a fugitive, it is applied diversely to a celestial serpent, a monstrous foe, and human nobility. Through these varied applications, the term bârîyach serves to illustrate God's absolute power, whether in the act of creation Job 26:13 or in executing judgment upon powers that stand in opposition to Him (Isaiah 27:1, Isaiah 43:14).

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 an adjective and a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • בָּרִחַ
  • בָרִיחִים
  • בְּרִיחֶ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5175 נָחָשׁ from נָחַשׁ; a snake (from its hiss); serpent. H2342 חוּל or חִיל; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance, t H8064 שָׁמַיִם dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding H3882 לִוְיָתָן from לָוָה; a wreathed animal, i.e. a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea-monster); figuratively, H2389 חָזָק from חָזַק; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent); harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, s H2719 חֶרֶב from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implemen

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

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Job
2
Isaiah

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.