בָּזֹה
scorned
Definition
בָּזֹה (bâzôh) is a Hebrew noun meaning 'scorned' or 'despised.' It describes a person who is treated with contempt, held in low esteem, or regarded as worthless by others. In its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 49:7, it refers to the profound rejection and humiliation experienced by the 'Servant of the Lord,' who is 'deeply despised' (בָּזֹה נֶפֶשׁ, bâzôh nephesh) by the nation. This term conveys not just a casual disregard but a deep-seated, soul-level contempt, often tied to social or political disgrace.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 49:7. It is used in a prophetic context to describe the Servant of the Lord—a figure often associated with the Messiah—as one who is 'deeply despised' by people and abhorred by the nation. The usage is intensely relational and emotional, highlighting the extreme rejection and social isolation faced by this figure, which paradoxically precedes his exaltation by God.
Etymology
בָּזֹה is a passive participle derived from the root בָּזָה (bâzâh, H959), meaning 'to despise, scorn, or hold in contempt.' This root conveys the idea of treating something as worthless or lightly esteemed. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of contempt or disdain. The participle form בָּזֹה specifically denotes the state of being the object of such scorn.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the depth of rejection in the suffering servant motif of Isaiah. In Isaiah 49:7, it prophetically describes the Messiah's experience of being utterly despised by humanity, which is foundational to Christian understanding of Jesus' humiliation (e.g., Philippians 2:7-8). Grasping this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the intentional, prophetic portrayal of redemptive suffering—where God's chosen one is scorned by the world yet ultimately vindicated and exalted by God, fulfilling His covenant promises.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were central social values. To be 'בָּזֹה' was to occupy the lowest rung of social standing, experiencing public disgrace and loss of honor. This contempt was not merely personal dislike but a societal judgment that marginalized an individual. The phrase 'deeply despised' (בָּזֹה נֶפֶשׁ) in Isaiah 49:7 intensifies this, suggesting contempt that wounds the very soul or life, indicating total rejection.
בָּזָה (bâzâh, H959) — the active verb meaning 'to despise,' focusing on the action of scorning. נָאַץ (nâʼats, H5006) — 'to spurn, contemn,' often used for rejecting God or His words, implying defiant scorn. מָאַס (mâʼas, H3988) — 'to reject, refuse, despise,' a broader term for rejection, sometimes less emotionally charged than בָּזָה.
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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