בֹּחַן
𐤁𐤇𐤍
bôchan
H976 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A process or event of testing, examination, or proving, typically applied to the scrutiny of someone's character, motives, or integrity. In biblical context, often refers to an occasion or means by which individuals are subjected to evaluation, whether by divine or human agency.
Semantic Range
testing, examination, act of proving, occasion of scrutiny, process of refining (metaphorical), trial (especially of character or motive)
Root / Etymology
From the root בָּחַן (b-ḥ-n), meaning 'to examine, test, scrutinize.' This nominal form, בֹּחַן (bôchan), denotes the act, process, or occasion of testing or proving.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is concentrated in poetic or wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 17:3), where it denotes the concept of the 'testing' or 'refining' of human hearts or character, especially in reference to divine scrutiny. Later occurrences (post-exilic texts) may reflect the continuing theme of inner moral testing, distinct from physical trials or legal investigations. Unlike מַסָּה (massah, 'test' related to external circumstances or provocations), בֹּחַן refers specifically to probing the inner person. English translations sometimes render it as 'trial' or 'test,' but these may not fully capture the sense of intentional moral or spiritual examination implied.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּחַן; trial; tried.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בחן (b-ḥ-n) — to examine, to test, to scrutinize
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H969 | בָּחוֹן | metal-examiner |
| H971 | בַּחִין | his siege-towers |
| H974 | בָּחַן | you examined |
| H975 | בַּחַן | watchtower |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H976-01 |
בֹּ֜חַן | bochan | HNcmsa |
tested | examination | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H976-01 |
Isaiah 28:16 | בֹּ֜חַן | bochan | HNcmsa |
tested | examination |