English · KJV
H909

בָּדַד

bâdad /baw-dad'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto divide, i.e. (reflex.) be solitary
KJV usagealone.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bâdad — 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 bâdad, represented by H909, is a primitive root used to describe a state of being divided, solitary, or alone. Though its base definition is simple, its application in scripture is specific and illustrative. It appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses, with each instance providing a distinct shade of meaning to the concept of isolation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H909 paints a vivid picture of solitude in different contexts. In Hosea, it is used to characterize Ephraim's willful rebellion as being like "a wild ass alone by himself" Hosea 8:9, suggesting a stubborn and self-imposed isolation. The psalmist employs the word to express a state of sorrowful vigilance, lamenting, "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top" Psalms 102:7. Conversely, Isaiah uses the term in a negative sense to describe the overwhelming force of an invading army from the north, where "none shall be alone," signifying a unified and inescapable multitude Isaiah 14:31.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words used in conjunction with bâdad help to deepen its meaning:

  • H6501 pereʼ (wild (ass)): This term is paired with bâdad in Hosea 8:9 to emphasize an untamed and self-directed isolation. A wild ass is an animal of the wilderness, often depicted as free but stubborn Job 39:5.
  • H6833 tsippôwr (a little bird; bird, fowl, sparrow): Used to illustrate vulnerable solitude in Psalms 102:7. A single, small bird on a rooftop is a picture of exposure and loneliness, much like a bird that wanders from its nest Proverbs 27:8.
  • H8245 shâqad (to be alert... wake, watch (for)): This word appears alongside bâdad in Psalms 102:7, adding the element of sleepless alertness to the loneliness. It implies that the solitude is not restful but a state of constant, anxious watching.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H909 is demonstrated through its specific applications, which highlight different facets of being alone.

  • Rebellious Independence: The image of the "wild ass alone" Hosea 8:9 portrays solitude as a consequence of turning away from a proper path to hire lovers, symbolizing spiritual and political unfaithfulness.
  • Sorrowful Vigilance: In Psalms 102:7, being alone is linked with watching, creating a theme of suffering and distress. It is the isolation of one who is afflicted and waiting in a vulnerable state.
  • The Weakness of Isolation: Isaiah's prophecy that "none shall be alone in his appointed times" Isaiah 14:31 uses the absence of solitude to describe the strength of an invading force. By contrast, it frames being alone as a state of weakness.

Summary

In summary, H909 is more than a simple descriptor for being by oneself. It is a focused term that scripture uses to illustrate the nature and consequence of isolation. From the stubborn independence of a nation straying from God to the sorrowful watchfulness of an individual in distress, bâdad powerfully conveys that being alone can be a state of rebellion, vulnerability, or suffering.

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 and a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • בּוֹדֵד
  • בָּדָד

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.

H6501 פֶּרֶא or פֶּרֶה; (Jeremiah 2:24), from פָּרָא in the secondary sense of running wild; the onager; wild (ass). H6833 צִפּוֹר or צִפֹּר; from צָפַר; a little bird (as hopping); bird, fowl, sparrow. H8245 שָׁקַד a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wak

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 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms, Isaiah, and Hosea (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Hosea

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.