בָּצֵק
𐤁𐤑𐤒
bâtsêq
H1217 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A mass of dough prepared from kneaded flour and water, especially in a leavened state—i.e., in the process of rising due to fermentation. In biblical usage, refers specifically to bread dough in preparation for baking, and can be a collective term for batches of dough in the context of meal preparation, baking, or ritual offering. The focus is typically on the raw, unbaked, or fermenting state, especially in contrast with unleavened states during certain religious observances.
Semantic Range
dough (in the process of fermentation/leavening), batch of bread dough, raw leavened dough for baking, unbaked bread mixture
Root / Etymology
From the root בָּצַק, which means 'to swell, become swollen.' The term בָּצֵק is a nominal formation indicating 'that which swells,' i.e., dough, as it rises due to leavening. The root-level notion of 'swelling' is metaphorically extended to describe leavened dough.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּצֵק appears primarily in narrative and legal contexts describing domestic and ritual practices among the Israelites, particularly in Exodus (e.g., account of leaving Egypt with unleavened dough, Exodus 12:34, 39) where its state—leavened or not—distinguishes ritual observance such as the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Its use contrasts with מַצָּה (matzah, 'unleavened bread'), underscoring the presence or absence of fermentation. The term is not specific to any particular grain, but applies generally to bread dough whether from wheat, barley, or other cereals commonly used. Later Greek and English translations may use general terms for 'leavened dough,' but original context is specifically focused on its leavened (fermenting/swelling) characteristic, not simply 'flour' or 'batter.' With changes in baking technology, the importance of dough as an indicator of timing or ritual purity (e.g., leaving Egypt before the dough could rise) became more pronounced in exegesis. No direct shift in meaning is attested through Israelite, Judahite, or post-exilic periods; usage remains stable with primary ritual, domestic, and agricultural associations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּצֵק; dough (as swelling by fermentation); dough, flour.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בצק (b-ṣ-q) — to swell, become swollen, rise up (of substances)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1217-03 |
הַ/בָּצֵ֜ק | habatseq | HTd/Ncmsa |
the dough | the swelling dough | 2 |
H1217-01 |
בָּצֵ֑ק | batseq | HNcmsa |
dough | swelling dough | 2 |
H1217-02 |
בְּצֵק֖/וֹ | betseqo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
their dough | his rising dough | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1217-02 |
Exodus 12:34 | בְּצֵק֖/וֹ | betseqo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
their dough | his rising dough |
H1217-03 |
Exodus 12:39 | הַ/בָּצֵ֜ק | habatseq | HTd/Ncmsa |
the dough | the swelling dough |
H1217-03 |
2 Samuel 13:8 | הַ/בָּצֵ֤ק | habatseq | HTd/Ncmsa |
the dough | the swelling dough |
H1217-01 |
Jeremiah 7:18 | בָּצֵ֑ק | batseq | HNcmsa |
dough | swelling dough |
H1217-01 |
Hosea 7:4 | בָּצֵ֖ק | batseq | HNcmsa |
of the dough | swelling dough |