בַּחֻרִים
Bachurim, a place in Palestine
Definition
Bachurim is a proper noun referring to a specific village in ancient Palestine, located near Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is most notably remembered as the place where Shimei, a relative of King Saul, cursed King David during his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 16:5). The village also appears as a location on the route of David's forces (2 Samuel 3:16) and as a place of refuge for Jonathan and Ahimaaz, who hid in a well there to escape Absalom's men (2 Samuel 17:18). Its final mention involves David's return to Jerusalem after Absalom's death, where Shimei came to beg forgiveness (2 Samuel 19:16, 1 Kings 2:8).
Biblical Usage
The word Bachurim is used exclusively as a geographical place name in the Old Testament, appearing only in the historical books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. All five occurrences are within narratives detailing the conflicts of King David's reign, specifically during the rebellions of Absalom and the subsequent political turmoil. It consistently serves as a specific location marker for events involving travel, confrontation, and hiding (2 Samuel 3:16, 16:5, 17:18, 19:16, 1 Kings 2:8).
Etymology
The name Bachurim is the masculine plural form of the Hebrew word בָּחוּר (bachur, H970), which means 'young man' or 'chosen youth.' It is derived from the root ב.ח.ר (b.ch.r), meaning 'to choose' or 'to examine.' Thus, the place name likely means 'the young men' or 'the chosen ones,' possibly indicating it was a settlement associated with a group of young warriors or select individuals.
Semantic Range
While Bachurim itself is a geographical location, its biblical appearances are theologically significant as settings for key events in the life of David, a central figure in God's covenant promises. The cursing by Shimei at Bachurim (2 Samuel 16:5-13) tests David's humility and his trust in God's sovereignty during suffering, modeling a response of non-retaliation. Furthermore, the well at Bachurim, used for hiding (2 Samuel 17:18), symbolizes God's providential protection for David's loyal supporters, demonstrating that God preserves His anointed king and His purposes even in moments of great danger and betrayal.
As a village near Jerusalem, Bachurim was part of the tribal territory of Benjamin. Its location on a major route made it a strategic point for travel and military movement. The incident with Shimei cursing a king was a severe cultural breach, as kings were viewed as God's anointed. David's refusal to have Shimei killed immediately reflected a complex interplay of royal authority, personal piety, and political calculation during a time of civil unrest.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. Related conceptually to other Benjaminite villages like Anathoth (H6068) or Gibeah (H1390).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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