בָּקָר
beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
Definition
The Hebrew noun בָּקָר (bâqâr) primarily refers to domesticated cattle, specifically the bovine species used for labor and food. It encompasses animals of both genders, including oxen, cows, bulls, and calves, and can denote a single animal or a collective herd. In its agricultural sense, it refers to cattle used for plowing and as draft animals (Deuteronomy 22:10, 1 Samuel 11:5). As a measure of wealth and for sacrificial purposes, it often appears in lists of possessions alongside sheep, donkeys, and servants (Genesis 12:16, Job 1:3). In ritual contexts, בָּקָר specifies the cattle required for offerings, such as the burnt offerings in Leviticus 1:3-5.
Biblical Usage
בָּקָר occurs 172 times across the Old Testament, most frequently in the Pentateuch (especially Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers) and in the historical books. It is commonly used in narratives about patriarchal wealth (Genesis 13:2, 26:14), in legal material concerning property and offerings (Leviticus 22:21, Numbers 7:3), and in wisdom literature as a symbol of prosperity (Proverbs 14:4). A key pattern is its pairing with צֹאן (sheep and goats) to represent the totality of a person's livestock holdings (Genesis 32:5).
Etymology
The noun בָּקָר derives from the root ב.ק.ר (b.q.r, H1239), which means 'to seek out, inquire, or visit.' This connection suggests the original sense may have been related to the care and oversight of livestock—the act of 'looking after' or 'inspecting' the herd. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic *bqr* and Arabic *baqar*, both meaning 'cattle,' indicating a common ancient Near Eastern term for these animals.
Semantic Range
בָּקָר holds theological significance primarily in the context of worship and covenant. As a primary category of sacrificial animal (e.g., for sin offerings in Leviticus 4:3, 14), it represents substitutionary atonement and the cost of approaching a holy God. Its frequent association with wealth (as in God's blessings to Abraham and Job) also ties it to themes of divine provision and stewardship within God's covenant promises. Understanding it as more than just 'cattle'—but as valuable, consecratable property—enriches readings of sacrifice and blessing.
In ancient Israelite culture, בָּקָר represented a major source of agricultural power, food, leather, and wealth. Unlike modern industrial farming, these animals were vital capital for survival and social status. Owning a herd signified stability and divine favor. Their use in plowing was foundational to agrarian life (Proverbs 14:4), and their role in sacrifices made them central to religious practice. The modern concept of 'cattle' lacks this integrated economic, social, and religious weight.
שׁוֹר (shôr, H7794) — a more specific term for a bull or ox, often emphasizing the individual animal as a draft beast or for sacrifice. עֵגֶל (ʿēgel, H5695) — specifically a calf, often a young bull. פָּר (pār, H6499) — a bull, often a mature male, used frequently in sacrificial contexts (e.g., the red heifer).
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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