בָּזָה
to disesteem
Definition
The Hebrew verb בָּזָה (bâzâh) fundamentally means to treat something or someone as having little value, weight, or honor. It encompasses a range of negative attitudes from simple disregard and contempt (Genesis 25:34) to active scorn and disdain (1 Samuel 17:42). In its most serious theological sense, it describes the act of despising God's commands, His anointed leaders, or sacred things, which is portrayed as a grave offense (Numbers 15:31, 2 Samuel 12:9). This contempt can be directed toward people, objects, or divine authority, always implying a deliberate devaluation.
Biblical Usage
בָּזָה is used 41 times across narrative, poetic, and prophetic books. It frequently appears in contexts of social or royal contempt, such as when men scorn a future king (1 Samuel 10:27) or when Michal despises David's worship (2 Samuel 6:16). A significant pattern is its use in prophetic or covenantal rebuke, where Israel or individuals are condemned for despising God's word or statutes (2 Samuel 12:9-10). The word is prominent in the Former Prophets (Samuel) and the Psalms, highlighting its role in describing relational and spiritual breakdown.
Etymology
As a primitive root, בָּזָה is not derived from another Hebrew verb. It is cognate with other Semitic words meaning 'to despise' or 'hold in contempt.' The related noun בּוּז (bûz, H937) means 'contempt,' showing how the verbal action produces a state or object of scorn. The root conveys a core idea of assigning light weight or worthlessness.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines a primary sin against God: despising His commandments (Numbers 15:31), His anointed (1 Samuel 10:27), or His direct word (2 Samuel 12:9). The famous judgment in 1 Samuel 2:30, 'those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed,' establishes a principle of divine reciprocity. Understanding בָּזָה enriches reading by revealing that contempt for God's authority is not passive disrespect but an active, weighty rejection with serious covenantal consequences.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were paramount. To 'despise' (בָּזָה) someone was a profound social insult, a public stripping of honor that could justify conflict or divine judgment. Despising a king or his representative was tantamount to treason. This cultural weight makes biblical instances, like despising a birthright (Genesis 25:34) or the ark of God, far more serious than modern notions of mere dislike, involving a fundamental rejection of divinely ordained order and status.
מָאַס (mā'as, H3988) — to reject or refuse, often more formal/legal; נָאַץ (nā'ats, H5006) — to spurn or defy, with a stronger sense of provocation; גָּעַל (gā'al, H1602) — to loathe or abhor, often with physical revulsion.
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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