The Hebrew word bôhûw, represented by H922, describes a state of emptiness or void. Its base definition denotes a vacuity or an undistinguishable ruin. This specific term appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses, yet its usage is foundational to understanding concepts of creation and judgment.
In each of its biblical appearances, H922 is paired with the word tôhûw H8414, meaning "without form." This pairing powerfully describes a state of utter chaos and desolation. In Genesis, the earth is initially "without form, and void" before God's creative acts bring order Genesis 1:2. The prophet Jeremiah uses this exact same phrase to describe his vision of a land devastated by judgment, where the earth is returned to a pre-creation state of ruin Jeremiah 4:23. Similarly, Isaiah prophesies that a judged land will be measured with "the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness" Isaiah 34:11.
Several related words help frame the context of H922:
- H8414 tôhûw (without form, confusion): This word is the constant companion of bôhûw. It refers to a desolation, an empty place, or confusion, establishing the unformed and chaotic nature of the scenes where H922 is found (Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 4:23).
- H2822 chôshek (darkness): In the creation account, darkness is present upon the deep when the earth is void, signifying a state of misery, obscurity, and the absence of divine light and order Genesis 1:2.
- H3423 yârash (to possess, inherit, dispossess): In Isaiah's prophecy, unclean birds like the cormorant H6893 and the bittern H7090 will possess the land marked by emptiness, highlighting that this void is the result of a divine act of dispossessing the former inhabitants Isaiah 34:11.
The theological weight of H922 is centered on its role as the antithesis of divine order.
- The Primordial State: Its use in Genesis establishes bôhûw as the unformed, empty state of the earth over which the Spirit H7307 of God H430 moved H7363, ready to bring forth a structured and filled creation Genesis 1:2. It is the canvas upon which God's creative power is displayed.
- A Symbol of Judgment: The prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah repurpose this imagery to illustrate the ultimate consequence of judgment. A land that rejects God is not merely conquered but is returned to a state of primordial ruin, becoming "without form, and void" again, a complete undoing of its created state (Jeremiah 4:23, Isaiah 34:11).
- The Absence of God's Light: The state of being void is associated with the absence of light H216 and the presence of darkness H2822. While Jeremiah beholds the void, he also notes the heavens have "no light" Jeremiah 4:23. This contrasts sharply with God's first creative command, "Let there be light" Genesis 1:3.
In summary, H922 is a potent and specific term for void and emptiness. Though rare, its usage is profound, consistently appearing with H8414 to depict a state of absolute desolation. It serves as a crucial theological concept, representing the primordial chaos that God's creative power transforms, and the dire state of ruin to which a land is returned under divine judgment.
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