H1254 בָּרָא bârâʼ → Root
3 languagesRoot of the ברא family (4 members).
To create, especially referring to the origination of something new or bringing into existence that which did not exist before, typically in reference to the acts of deity in shaping the cosmos or significant realities. In rare non-divine contexts, to select or shape. Denotes the act of forming by creating, not by manufacturing from pre-existing materials, but rather by an act of will or decree. Also attested in select contexts as to make fat or to select.
Etymology
From the root ברא, whose primary meaning is to create, shape, or fashion. Although the root occurs most commonly in the Pi‘el stem in later Hebrew with senses related to 'clearing' or 'cutting down,' in Biblical Hebrew the Qal stem is unique in denoting 'to create'—especially divine creation. The lexical meaning is thus somewhat specialized and diverges from related Semitic roots.