H1156 בְּעָא bᵉʻâʼ → Root
17 languagesRoot of the בעה family (1 member).
To seek, request, ask for, or entreat, especially in the sense of inquiring or earnestly seeking something from someone in authority; used for both mundane requests (such as asking for information or favor) and formal entreaty (such as prayer or petition before God or a ruler). The verb conveys intent and active pursuit of an object or outcome, ranging from general desire to formal petitioning.
Etymology
Root: בעה. This Aramaic root parallels the Hebrew root בקש (to seek, request). בעה's core meaning is to seek, ask for, or request, and the form בְּעָא is the Peal (basic) stem, commonly used for simple active meaning, 'to seek' or 'to ask.' Though similar in meaning to Hebrew בקש, it is distinctly Aramaic in form and usage. The Hebrew equivalent is less frequently employed for formal prayer; Aramaic בעה encompasses a broader scope, extending often to solemn entreaty or intervention.
| Language | Word | Meaning | Segmentation | Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemba | fwaya | to want, seek, or look for | ||
| Chichewa | funa | want | ||
| Kaonde | fwaya | want | ||
| Kinyarwanda | gushaka | want (different dominant root) | ||
| Kirundi | gushaka | want | ||
| Kongo | fwana | find | ||
| Lamba | fwaya | seek | ||
| Lingala | koluka | seek (different dominant root) | ||
| Lozi | fumana | find (related semantic field) | ||
| Luganda | funa | want | ||
| Ndebele | funa | want | ||
| Shona | tsvaga | seek (different root dominant) | ||
| Swati | funa | want | ||
| Tonga | fwaya | want, look for | ||
| Tumbuka | fwana | seek, find | ||
| Xhosa | funa | want | ||
| Zulu | funa | want |