בֶּזֶק
𐤁𐤆𐤒
Bezeq
H966 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating the name of a town: Bezeq. The word may also occur as a common noun meaning 'lightning', though as a place name in the Hebrew Bible it refers specifically to locations—one where Saul musters troops (1 Samuel 11:8), and one connected to the defeat of Adoni-bezek in Judges 1:4-5. The primary function in the biblical text is as a toponym, not as a descriptor of meteorological phenomena.
Semantic Range
proper noun—Bezeq/Bezek (a place name); possibly as a rare common noun—lightning, flash of lightning
Root / Etymology
From the root בָּזָק (bazak), meaning 'to flash forth' or 'to glitter (as lightning)'. The noun בֶּזֶק appears to be derived as a toponym, likely referencing some characteristic (perhaps brightness or a lightning-like quality) of the location. The noun meaning 'lightning' is rare, and its relationship to the place name is probable but not certain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Bezeq/Bezek is used twice in the Hebrew Bible as a place name. In Judges 1:4-5, Bezek is the location where the Israelite forces defeat Adoni-bezek (likely 'lord of Bezek'); in 1 Samuel 11:8, Saul rallies the Israelite and Judahite troops there. The ancient site's location is uncertain but traditionally placed in the hill country north of Jerusalem or near Beth-shean. While the place name may derive from a root meaning 'lightning', it is not employed in biblical narrative as a common noun except possibly in poetic or rare usage. English versions typically transliterate the name rather than translate it, reflecting its function as a proper noun and not connecting it to 'lightning' contextually. The connection with the term 'lightning' is discussed in scholarly literature but remains speculative in terms of actual local character or etymological intent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּזָק; lightning; Bezek, a place in Palestine; Bezek.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בזק (b-z-q) — to flash, to glitter, to shine
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H966-02 |
בְּ/בֶ֔זֶק | bevezeq | HR/Np |
at Bezek | in Bezeq | 2 |
H966-01 |
בְּ/בָ֑זֶק | bevazeq | HR/Np |
at Bezek | in Bezeq | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H966-02 |
Judges 1:4 | בְּ/בֶ֔זֶק | bevezeq | HR/Np |
at Bezek | in Bezeq |
H966-02 |
Judges 1:5 | בְּ/בֶ֔זֶק | bevezeq | HR/Np |
at Bezek | in Bezeq |
H966-01 |
1 Samuel 11:8 | בְּ/בָ֑זֶק | bevazeq | HR/Np |
at Bezek | in Bezeq |