בָּשַׂר
properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, (figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news)
Definition
The Hebrew word בָּשַׂר (bāsar) is a verb meaning 'to bring news' or 'to announce tidings.' In its most common usage, it specifically refers to proclaiming good news, such as reports of victory or salvation, as seen when a messenger announces David's triumph over Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:19-20. However, the word can also be used in a neutral or even negative sense for delivering any kind of report, including bad news, as demonstrated when the messenger brings the tragic news of Israel's defeat and the capture of the ark in 1 Samuel 4:17. The related noun form, often translated 'flesh,' is a distinct word (H1320) and represents a different, though possibly etymologically connected, concept.
Biblical Usage
בָּשַׂר is used 21 times in the Old Testament, primarily in the historical books of Samuel and Kings, where it appears in the context of messengers delivering reports from battlefields. Its usage is almost exclusively in narrative passages involving the declaration of news. A clear pattern is its frequent pairing with the Hebrew word for 'saying' (לֵאמֹר) to introduce the content of the message. Key examples include the announcement of Saul's death (1 Samuel 31:9, 2 Samuel 1:20) and the report of Ish-bosheth's assassination (2 Samuel 4:10).
Etymology
בָּשַׂר is a primitive root verb. Scholars often connect it by root to the noun בָּשָׂר (bāsār, H1320), meaning 'flesh,' possibly originating from a sense of being 'fresh' or 'plump.' This connection suggests an ancient link between the concept of announcing news and the visceral, embodied nature of a messenger who has come from a journey. The semantic development led to the specialized meaning of proclaiming news, particularly glad tidings.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as the Hebrew root behind the concept of 'gospel' or 'good news.' In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), בָּשַׂר is often translated by the verb εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō), which is the very term used in the New Testament for 'preaching the gospel.' Understanding this connection enriches the reading of passages like Isaiah 40:9 and 52:7, which use this verb to proclaim the good news of God's coming salvation and reign. It shows that the biblical idea of 'gospel' is deeply rooted in the Old Testament act of announcing God's mighty acts of deliverance.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, especially in contexts of war, the arrival of a messenger bearing news was a moment of high drama and anxiety. The messenger's first words—whether he began with 'good news' (בְּשֹׂרָה) or not—instantly communicated the outcome to the awaiting community. The role was vital in a society without instant communication, and the messenger's body (his 'flesh,' perhaps etymologically linked) was the medium through which distant events became known. The act of 'bringing news' was a public, declarative event, not a private sharing of information.
נָגַד (nāgad, H5046) — to tell, declare, or make known; often used for a more general or formal declaration. קָרָא (qārā', H7121) — to call out, proclaim; used for public cries or proclamations, often by a herald. שָׁמַע (shāma', H8085) — to hear, report; focuses on the reception of news rather than the act of announcing it.
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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