בָּעַת
𐤁𐤏𐤕
bâʻath
H1204 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause sudden fear, to startle or terrify, to be seized with sudden fright. The verb בָּעַת primarily refers to a rapid, overwhelming onset of fear or alarm, as from a sudden frightening event or appearance. It does not denote a sustained or reverential fear, but an immediate, involuntary reaction of terror or panic. Depending on context, it may refer to frightening others or being frightened oneself.
Semantic Range
to startle, to terrify, to be suddenly frightened, to make someone afraid, to cause sudden panic
Root / Etymology
Root: בָּעַת (b-ʻ-t). The verbal root appears infrequently and conveys the sense of sudden fear or alarm; the etymology is uncertain, though it may be related to roots in Semitic languages that refer to terror or panic. The nominal forms are rare; the root is distinct in meaning from other Hebrew terms for 'to fear' such as יָרֵא (y-r-ʼ), which can denote awe or reverence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּעַת only appears in poetic or prophetic passages and is not used in the standard Deuteronomistic or Priestly prose. It typically denotes an intense, momentary experience of fright, in contrast with the more common יָרֵא, which covers a broader range from awe to dread. In some prophecy texts (e.g., Isaiah 21:4; Job 7:14), it describes a reaction to visions or threats. English translations often render בָּעַת as 'terrify,' 'frighten,' or 'startle,' but 'be alarmed' captures its nuance of sudden disruption. Over time, its usage remained rare, with later periods favoring other roots (e.g., פָּחַד or יָרֵא) for both religious and existential fear. The term is never used for reverential worship or the 'fear of YHWH' characteristic of Israelite piety.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to fear; affright, be (make) afraid, terrify, trouble.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
בעת (biʻûwthîym) — to startle, terrify, cause to tremble with fear
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1204-06 |
תְּבַעֲתַֽ/נִּי | tevaatani | HVpi2ms/Sp1cs |
make me afraid | you suddenly terrify me | you terrify me | 3 |
H1204-04 |
נִבְעַ֔ת | niveat | HVNp3ms |
he was terrified | he was suddenly terrified | he was suddenly terrified | 2 |
H1204-10 |
יְ֝בַעֲתֻ֗/הוּ | yevaatuhu | HVpi3mp/Sp3ms |
let terrify it | they will suddenly terrify him | they will suddenly terrify him | 2 |
H1204-11 |
יְבַעֲתֻֽ/נִי | yevaatuni | HVpi3mp/Sp1cs |
terrified me | they terrify me | they terrify me | 2 |
H1204-01 |
בִּֽעֲתָ֑תְ/נִי | biatateni | HVpp3fs/Sp1cs |
overwhelms me | she terrified me | she terrified me | 1 |
H1204-02 |
בִּֽעֲתֻ֣/הוּ | biatuhu | HVpp3cp/Sp3ms |
frighten him | they intensely terrified him | they suddenly terrified him | 1 |
H1204-03 |
מְבַעִתֶּֽ/ךָ | mevaitekha | HVprmsc/Sp2ms |
is terrorizing you | the one terrifying you | terrifying you | 1 |
H1204-05 |
נִבְעַ֔תִּי | niveati | HVNp1cs |
I was terrified | I was suddenly terrified | I was suddenly terrified | 1 |
H1204-07 |
תְבַעֲתֶ֑/ךָּ | tevaatekha | HVpi3fs/Sp2ms |
will terrify you | she will terrify you | will terrify you | 1 |
H1204-08 |
תְּבַעֵ֣ת | tevaet | HVpi3fs |
terrify | she will intensely terrify | intensely terrify | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1204-09 |
1 Samuel 16:14 | וּ/בִֽעֲתַ֥תּ/וּ | uviatatu | HC/Vpp3fs/Sp3ms |
and-terrorized-him | and she terrified him | and it terrified him |
H1204-03 |
1 Samuel 16:15 | מְבַעִתֶּֽ/ךָ | mevaitekha | HVprmsc/Sp2ms |
is terrorizing you | the one terrifying you | terrifying you |
H1204-11 |
2 Samuel 22:5 | יְבַעֲתֻֽ/נִי | yevaatuni | HVpi3mp/Sp1cs |
terrified me | they terrify me | they terrify me |
H1204-01 |
Isaiah 21:4 | בִּֽעֲתָ֑תְ/נִי | biatateni | HVpp3fs/Sp1cs |
overwhelms me | she terrified me | she terrified me |
H1204-11 |
Psalms 18:5 | יְבַֽעֲתֽוּ/נִי | yevaatuni | HVpi3mp/Sp1cs |
terrified me | they terrify me | they terrify me |
H1204-10 |
Job 3:5 | יְ֝בַעֲתֻ֗/הוּ | yevaatuhu | HVpi3mp/Sp3ms |
let terrify it | they will suddenly terrify him | may terrify it suddenly |
H1204-06 |
Job 7:14 | תְּבַעֲתַֽ/נִּי | tevaatani | HVpi2ms/Sp1cs |
you terrify me | you suddenly terrify me | you terrify me |
H1204-06 |
Job 9:34 | תְּבַעֲתַֽ/נִּי | tevaatani | HVpj3fs/Sp1cs |
terrify me | you suddenly terrify me | terrify me |
H1204-08 |
Job 13:11 | תְּבַעֵ֣ת | tevaet | HVpi3fs |
terrify | she will intensely terrify | intensely terrify |
H1204-06 |
Job 13:21 | תְּבַעֲתַֽ/נִּי | tevaatani | HVpj3fs/Sp1cs |
make me afraid | you suddenly terrify me | you terrify me |
H1204-10 |
Job 15:24 | יְֽ֭בַעֲתֻ/הוּ | yevaatuhu | HVpi3mp/Sp3ms |
terrifies him | they will suddenly terrify him | they will suddenly terrify him |
H1204-02 |
Job 18:11 | בִּֽעֲתֻ֣/הוּ | biatuhu | HVpp3cp/Sp3ms |
frighten him | they intensely terrified him | they suddenly terrified him |
H1204-07 |
Job 33:7 | תְבַעֲתֶ֑/ךָּ | tevaatekha | HVpi3fs/Sp2ms |
will terrify you | she will terrify you | will terrify you |
H1204-04 |
Esther 7:6 | נִבְעַ֔ת | niveat | HVNp3ms |
was terrified | he was suddenly terrified | he was suddenly terrified |
H1204-05 |
Daniel 8:17 | נִבְעַ֔תִּי | niveati | HVNp1cs |
I was terrified | I was suddenly terrified | I was suddenly terrified |
H1204-04 |
1 Chronicles 21:30 | נִבְעַ֔ת | niveat | HVNp3ms |
he was terrified | he was suddenly terrified | he was suddenly terrified |