בָּדַק
to mend a breach
Definition
בָּדַק (bâdaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to repair' or 'to mend a breach,' specifically referring to the restoration of a damaged structure. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the physical act of fixing the temple in Jerusalem. The word conveys the idea of closing gaps or fissures in walls or buildings, restoring them to a sound and functional state. While its usage is literal in the text, the concept naturally extends metaphorically to the idea of spiritual or communal restoration.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 34:10. It describes the workmen repairing (בֹּדְקִים) the temple of the Lord during King Josiah's reign, specifically mending the breaches in the house. The context is a national religious restoration, where physical repair of the temple symbolizes the broader spiritual renewal Josiah sought to lead.
Etymology
בָּדַק is considered a primitive root meaning 'to gap open' or 'to split.' It is used in the Bible as a denominative verb derived from the noun בֶּדֶק (H919), meaning 'a fissure' or 'breach.' Thus, the verb's action—'to mend a breach'—directly addresses the condition named by the noun.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it is tied to a major event of covenant renewal. The repair of the temple under Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:10) was a physical manifestation of spiritual reformation, following the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. It illustrates the biblical theme of restoration—God's people mending what is broken, both physically and in their relationship with God, as a precursor to revival.
In ancient Israelite culture, maintaining the temple was a paramount religious duty. A breach in its walls was not merely a structural issue but a sign of neglect and spiritual decline. The act of בָּדַק, therefore, carried cultural and religious weight, representing a return to proper worship and the honoring of God's dwelling place.
חָזַק (ḥāzaq, H2388) — often means 'to strengthen' or 'fortify,' used more broadly for repair and reinforcement. רָפָא (rāp̄ā', H7495) — means 'to heal' or 'restore,' used for healing people or, metaphorically, lands.
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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