בָּחַן
𐤁𐤇𐤍
bâchan
H974 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To examine, test, or scrutinize for quality or truth, often used of evaluating individuals, actions, or materials to determine their nature or reliability. In extended contexts, refers to assessing moral character, intentions, or the authenticity of faith. Frequently appears in contexts involving divine examination of human hearts or fidelity, or the testing of materials such as metals to determine purity.
Semantic Range
to test for quality or purity (especially metals); to examine or inquire into (individuals, motives, or actions); to scrutinize for authenticity or moral character; to evaluate or prove; to search or explore the innermost being
Root / Etymology
The root is בָּחַן. Derived from the verbal root meaning 'to scrutinize, examine, test'. The form appears as a standard Qal verb indicating the act of testing or scrutinizing. The meaning is primarily investigative, with frequent metaphorical usage based on the physical testing of metals.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, בָּחַן is used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it describes the assaying or testing of metal for purity (e.g., Psalm 66:10), reflecting the reality of metalworking practices in the ancient Near East. Figuratively, it is most often used of the divine examination of the inner life of Israelites or Judahites, especially the heart (e.g., Jer 17:10; Ps 139:23), emphasizing thoroughness and an infallible standard. The word is distinct from related verbs like נָסָה (nasah), which means 'to test' or 'to try' but often focuses more on the process of putting someone or something to the test, while בָּחַן connotes discerning or revealing what is already true about the quality or character of the object being tested. In later periods, such as the exilic and post-exilic writings (e.g., Chronicles, Psalms), the term maintains its evaluative nuance, especially in relation to Yahweh's role as examiner of hearts. English translations such as 'prove,' 'examine,' or 'test' capture aspects of the term but may miss the nuance of meticulous or penetrating evaluation implied by the root.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate; examine, prove, tempt, try (trial).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בחן (b-ḥ-n) — examination, testing, scrutiny, evaluation
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H969 | בָּחוֹן | metal-examiner |
| H971 | בַּחִין | his siege-towers |
| H975 | בַּחַן | watchtower |
| H976 | בֹּחַן | examination |
Word Forms
21 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H974-06 |
בֹּחֵ֥ן | bochen | HVqrmsa |
test | examining one | 4 |
H974-04 |
בְּחָנֵ֣/נִי | bechaneni | HVqv2ms/Sp1cs |
examine me | Scrutinize me | 2 |
H974-13 |
וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֑י/ם | uvechanetim | HC/Vqq1cs/Sp3mp |
and I will test them | and I examined them | 2 |
H974-12 |
וּ/בָחַנְתָּ֖ | uvachaneta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and test | and you examined | 2 |
H974-10 |
תִּבְחָ֑ן | tivechan | HVqi3fs |
test | she will scrutinize | 2 |
H974-15 |
וּ/בֹחֵ֣ן | uvochen | HC/Vqrmsa |
and tester | and examining one | 2 |
H974-03 |
בְּ֝חָנַ֗/נִי | bechanani | HVqp3ms/Sp1cs |
he has tested me | He examined me | 1 |
H974-08 |
כִּ/בְחֹ֣ן | kivechon | HR/Vqc |
as [one] tests | as testing | 1 |
H974-17 |
וְ/יִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙ | veyibachanu | HC/VNi3mp |
may be tested | and they will be examined | 1 |
H974-05 |
בְּ֝חָנ֗וּ/נִי | bechanuni | HVqp3cp/Sp1cs |
they tried me | they examined me | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
29 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H974-09 |
Genesis 42:15 | תִּבָּחֵ֑נוּ | tibachenu | HVNi2mp |
you shall be tested | you will be scrutinized |
H974-17 |
Genesis 42:16 | וְ/יִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙ | veyibachanu | HC/VNi3mp |
may be tested | and they will be examined |
H974-12 |
Jeremiah 6:27 | וּ/בָחַנְתָּ֖ | uvachaneta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and test | and you examined |
H974-13 |
Jeremiah 9:6 | וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֑י/ם | uvechanetim | HC/Vqq1cs/Sp3mp |
and testing them | and I examined them |
H974-06 |
Jeremiah 11:20 | בֹּחֵ֥ן | bochen | HVqrmsa |
who tests | examining one |
H974-12 |
Jeremiah 12:3 | וּ/בָחַנְתָּ֥ | uvachaneta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and test | and you examined |
H974-06 |
Jeremiah 17:10 | בֹּחֵ֣ן | bochen | HVqrmsa |
test | examining one |
H974-06 |
Jeremiah 20:12 | בֹּחֵ֣ן | bochen | HVqrmsa |
who tests | examining one |
H974-18 |
Ezekiel 21:18 | בֹ֔חַן | vochan | HVPp3ms |
a testing | was thoroughly tested |
H974-13 |
Zechariah 13:9 | וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֖י/ם | uvechanetim | HC/Vqq1cs/Sp3mp |
and I will test them | and I examined them |