בְּקַר
𐤁𐤒𐤓
bᵉqar
H1240 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To inquire, seek information with care, make a thorough investigation, or examine closely; in some contexts, to search out, scrutinize, or seek to understand. The term implies searching or inquiring with intent, not just casual questioning, and is frequently used in reference to careful examination of matters, individuals, or situations.
Semantic Range
to inquire, to make a thorough search, to investigate, to examine or inspect closely, to seek information, to scrutinize
Root / Etymology
Aramaic form corresponding to Hebrew root בקר (b-q-r), meaning 'to search, inquire, investigate'. The Hebrew noun occurs primarily in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible. The root itself carries an underlying sense of seeking or investigating, with an extension toward careful examination or inspection.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בְּקַר occurs primarily in Aramaic passages of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in books such as Daniel and Ezra, where it denotes purposeful inquiry or examination, often in official or legal contexts. Unlike the more generic Hebrew verbs for questioning (e.g., שָׁאַל), this term conveys a depth of investigation suited for formal searches, inquiries, or examinations by officials. Over time, forms with this root in both Hebrew and Aramaic continue to carry the nuance of deliberate inquiry or inspection, including in later Jewish Aramaic literature. The rendering 'make search' in many English translations narrows the term slightly; its actual range includes broader investigations, assessments, and appraisals beyond mere searching. In the biblical Aramaic context, the term frequently appears in connection with administrators, officials, or monarchs directing investigations or seeking information in a structured or authoritative manner.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to בָּקַר; {properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider}; inquire, make search.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בקר (b-q-r) — to seek, investigate, examine, inquire
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1230 | בַּקְבַּקַּר | Search-Seeker |
| H1239 | בָּקַר | I will examine closely |
| H1241 | בָּקָר | in the cattle |
| H1242 | בֹּקֶר | in the morning |
| H1243 | בַּקָּרָה | as inspection-of |
| H1244 | בִּקֹּרֶת | formal inspection |
| H951 | בּוֹקֵר | daybreak |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1240-02 |
וּ/בַקַּ֣רוּ | uvaqaru | AC/Vpp3mp |
and they searched | and they thoroughly investigated | 2 |
H1240-03 |
יְבַקַּר֩ | yevaqar | AVpi3ms |
search may be made | he will thoroughly investigate | 1 |
H1240-04 |
יִ֠תְבַּקַּר | yitebaqar | AVMi3ms |
let a search be made | he will thoroughly investigate | 1 |
H1240-01 |
לְ/בַקָּרָ֥א | levaqara | AR/Vpc |
to inquire | to thoroughly investigate | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1240-03 |
Ezra 4:15 | יְבַקַּר֩ | yevaqar | AVpi3ms |
search may be made | he will thoroughly investigate |
H1240-02 |
Ezra 4:19 | וּ/בַקַּ֣רוּ | uvaqaru | AC/Vpp3mp |
and they sought | and they thoroughly investigated |
H1240-04 |
Ezra 5:17 | יִ֠תְבַּקַּר | yitebaqar | AVMi3ms |
let a search be made | he will thoroughly investigate |
H1240-02 |
Ezra 6:1 | וּ/בַקַּ֣רוּ | uvaqaru | AC/Vpp3mp |
and they searched | and they thoroughly investigated |
H1240-01 |
Ezra 7:14 | לְ/בַקָּרָ֥א | levaqara | AR/Vpc |
to inquire | to thoroughly investigate |