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בּוּז

𐤁𐤅𐤆

bûwz

H936 verb

SILEX Entry

Root בוז to show contempt, to despise, to treat as worthless, to scorn

Definition

To hold in contempt, to regard as worthless or insignificant, to treat with disdain. The term emphasizes a deep-seated lack of respect, often implying social or moral rejection of a person or thing. Used to describe attitudes of scorn or disdain, either from individuals or communities, towards others whom they deem unworthy or inferior.

Semantic Range

to despise, to hold in contempt, to scorn, to consider insignificant, to treat with disdain, to disregard as unworthy

Root / Etymology

From the root בּוּז (bûz), likely expressing the concept of contempt or disregard. The root is not used widely beyond the verb and its cognate noun, and no clear cognate roots exist in other Semitic languages, making broader etymological connections uncertain. The formation seems to be onomatopoetic, mimicking the act of spitting or derisively dismissing something.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בּוּז appears in both poetic and narrative contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, particularly in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 1:7 'fools despise wisdom and instruction') and prophetic texts. It generally describes an internal attitude rather than an outward act, although it can result in social exclusion or shame. It is often paired with terms like לָעַג (to mock) or גָּדַף (to blaspheme, revile), but בּוּז implies more the internal valuation or lack thereof, rather than open mockery. The noun form בּוּז also exists, conveying the state of being despised or the concept of contempt. In English translations, 'despise,' 'scorn,' or 'hold in contempt' reflect its meaning but not always the nuance of the original; the idiom 'utterly despise' sometimes appears but may exaggerate the totality intended. Unlike related words such as זה (to loathe) or מאס (to reject), בּוּז focuses on evaluation and internal disregard more than outright disgust or judicial rejection. The term continues into post-biblical Hebrew with similar connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to disrespect; contemn, despise, [idiom] utterly.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

בוז (b-w-z) — contempt, scorn, treating as worthless

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H937 בּוּז contempt
H938 בּוּז Buz
H940 בּוּזִי the Buz-descendant
H941 בּוּזִי My Contempt

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H936-01 בָּז baz HVqrmsa despises plunder 3
H936-08 יָב֣וּזוּ yavuzu HVqi3mp they despise they show contempt 3
H936-07 יָ֝ב֗וּז yavuz HVqi3ms he will despise he will treat as worthless 1
H936-06 וְ/תָב֪וּז vetavuz HC/Vqi3fs and scorns and she will despise 1
H936-04 תָּ֝ב֗וּז tavuz HVqj2ms despise may you scorn 1
H936-03 בּ֖וֹז boz HVqa utterly scorned to utterly despise 1
H936-05 בַז֮ vaz HVqp3ms has despised contempt 1
H936-02 בָּֽזוּ bazu HVqp3cp despise they despised 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H936-05 Zechariah 4:10 בַז֮ vaz HVqp3ms has despised contempt
H936-02 Proverbs 1:7 בָּֽזוּ bazu HVqp3cp despise they despised
H936-08 Proverbs 6:30 יָב֣וּזוּ yavuzu HVqi3mp they despise they show contempt
H936-01 Proverbs 11:12 בָּז baz HVqrmsa despises plunder
H936-01 Proverbs 13:13 בָּ֣ז baz HVqrmsa despises plunder
H936-01 Proverbs 14:21 בָּז baz HVqrmsa despises plunder
H936-07 Proverbs 23:9 יָ֝ב֗וּז yavuz HVqi3ms he will despise he will treat as worthless
H936-04 Proverbs 23:22 תָּ֝ב֗וּז tavuz HVqj2ms despise may you scorn
H936-06 Proverbs 30:17 וְ/תָב֪וּז vetavuz HC/Vqi3fs and scorns and she will despise
H936-08 Song of Songs 8:1 יָב֥וּזוּ yavuzu HVqi3mp they would despise they show contempt
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