וַ/יִּבְחַר
𐤅/𐤉𐤁𐤇𐤓
vayivechar
and he chose
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
1 Samuel 13:2 · Word #1
Lexicon H977
| Lemma | בָּחַר |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤁𐤇𐤓 |
| Transliteration | bâchar |
| Strong's | H977 |
| In-context | and he chose |
Morphology HC/Vqw3ms
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state |
| Binyan | q — Qal — Simple active |
| Conjugation | w — Sequential Imperfect — Imperfect with waw-consecutive, narrating past events |
| Person | 3 — 3rd person — Third person ("he/she/they") |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
SIBI-P1 H977-30
and he selected
| Root | בחר (b-ḥ-r) |
| Core Meanings | to test, examine, select, choose, prefer |
| Semantic Range | to choose, select, elect, appoint, prefer, take delight in, decide upon after consideration |
| Conceptual Significance | בחר is central to biblical theology of election—used of YHWH choosing Israel, leaders, places, or individuals. It conveys purposeful, discerning selection rather than random choice, underscoring themes of covenant, calling, and divine intention. |
| Morphological Notes | Conjunction ו (waw consecutive) + Qal wayyiqtol (preterite) 3rd masculine singular of בחר; simple active stem in sequential narrative form. |
| Rendering Rationale | The root בחר carries the sense of examining or testing in order to make a selection. Rendering it as "selected" preserves the deliberative nuance of the root rather than a purely arbitrary choice. The form is Qal wayyiqtol 3rd masculine singular, reflected in the narrative past "and he" construction. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root בחר (to test, examine, select, choose, prefer)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H977-01 |
bachar | he has chosen |
H977-02 |
bachareta | you have selected |
H977-03 |
bachareti | I have selected |
Word Usage (170 occurrences of H977)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 6:2 | בָּחָֽרוּ | bacharu | they chose |
| Genesis 13:11 | וַ/יִּבְחַר | vayivechar | and chose |
| Exodus 14:7 | בָּח֔וּר | bachur | chosen |