בָּזָא
probably to cleave
Definition
The Hebrew verb בָּזָא (bâzâʼ) carries the primary sense of 'to cleave' or 'to split apart.' In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the action of splitting or dividing something, specifically referring to the cleaving of rivers or waterways. In Isaiah 18:2, it is used metaphorically for a nation that 'splits' rivers, likely describing a land of waterways. Isaiah 18:7 uses the same imagery, portraying a people as bringing tribute from a land of 'rivers cleaved.' The word implies a forceful division, creating separate channels or paths.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in Isaiah 18, within a prophetic oracle concerning Cush (modern-day Sudan/Ethiopia). It describes the geographical characteristic of the land from which the Cushite envoys come—a land of 'rivers cleaved' (Isaiah 18:2, 7). The usage is poetic and descriptive, painting a picture of a region defined by its divided or channeled waterways, which may symbolize either abundance or formidable terrain.
Etymology
בָּזָא (bâzâʼ) is a primitive root verb. Its core meaning relates to splitting or cleaving. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, support the sense of 'to cut' or 'to split.' The development from this physical action to the metaphorical concept of 'spoil' (as recorded in the KJV) is not strongly attested in the biblical texts themselves, where the cleaving of rivers is the clear context.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically heavy term, its use in Isaiah 18 contributes to the book's rich tapestry of international oracles. The description of a distant, mysterious land (Cush) with 'cleaved rivers' sets a scene of awe and geographic separation, highlighting God's sovereign awareness and ultimate authority over all nations. Understanding this specific imagery enriches the reading of this prophetic passage, moving beyond a vague 'spoil' to a vivid geographical portrait.
In the ancient Near East, control and manipulation of water sources were vital for civilization and often symbolized power and prosperity. A land described as having 'cleaved' or channeled rivers would be understood as a region where human engineering or natural geography had mastered the water, possibly for irrigation or transport. This contrasts with a modern reader who might not immediately grasp the significance of such a description.
בָּקַע (bāqaʿ, H1234) — also means to split or cleave, but often with a sense of bursting forth (as in rocks or the ground). גָּזַר (gāzar, H1504) — to cut, divide, or decree; more general for cutting off or separating.
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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