בָּחַל
𐤁𐤇𐤋
bâchal
H973 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To loathe, to feel revulsion or strong aversion. The verb בָּחַל expresses a subjective emotional reaction of disgust or aversion, often with moral implications, toward actions, objects, or individuals. In most cases, it carries the nuance of intense rejection or moral abhorrence, not merely mild dislike.
Semantic Range
to loathe, to feel or express strong aversion or disgust, to abhor, to refuse or reject due to loathing, to display emotional horror at something detestable
Root / Etymology
Root בָּחַל (b-ch-l). The root is rare and primarily means 'to loathe, be disgusted by.' Some related Semitic languages have cognates (Arabic: baḥala—'to be contemptible'), supporting the meaning of strong rejection, though attestations are infrequent and limited. Not to be confused with בָּהַל (b-h-l), which means 'to hasten' or 'to terrify.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּחַל occurs only a few times in the Hebrew Bible and always in contexts of ritual or moral impurity—expressing Yahweh's, or a person's, intense rejection. For example, in Leviticus 26:11, it describes YHWH's refusal to abhor or reject Israel. The verb is nearly always used with a direct object and subject of heightened emotional intensity. Distinct from the more common term תָּעַב (to'ab), which is the usual word for 'abomination' or an act that is culturally or ritually detested; בָּחַל stresses subjective aversion or disgust rather than an objective ritual status. Its usage remains consistent from the late monarchic to exilic period, without significant development. While English versions may render it as 'abhor' or 'loathe,' these terms do not always capture the intensity or emotional register inherently present in the Hebrew usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to loath; abhor, get hastily (from the margin for בָּהַל).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בחל (b-ḥ-l) — to loathe, to feel disgust, to reject with aversion
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H973-01 |
בָּחֲלָ֥ה | bachalah | HVqp3fs |
it-was-weary | she loathed | 1 |
H973-02 |
מבחלת | mvchlt | HVPsfsa |
gotten hastily | a loathed one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H973-01 |
Zechariah 11:8 | בָּחֲלָ֥ה | bachalah | HVqp3fs |
it-was-weary | she loathed |
H973-02 |
Proverbs 20:21 | מבחלת | mvchlt | HVPsfsa |
gotten hastily | a loathed one |