בְּחֻרוֹת
youth (collectively and abstractly)
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּחֻרוֹת (bᵉchurôwth) is the feminine plural form, referring collectively and abstractly to the state or period of youth. It signifies the prime of life, a time of vigor, strength, and youthful energy. In its three biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes this life stage, though with different emphases. In Numbers 11:28, it refers to Joshua's status as a young man in Moses's service. In Ecclesiastes, it carries a more philosophical weight, describing the fleeting season of youth in Ecclesiastes 11:9 and 12:1, where it is a time for action before the inevitable decline of old age.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. It is used once in the historical narrative of Numbers 11:28 to describe Joshua as one of Moses's chosen young men from his youth. The other two uses are in the wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:1), where the Preacher directly addresses the young, using the term to mark the season of life characterized by physical vitality and moral opportunity before the 'days of trouble' come. The pattern shows a shift from a simple descriptive use to a profound, exhortative one in wisdom contexts.
Etymology
The word בְּחֻרוֹת is the feminine plural form derived from the root ב־ח־ר (b-ḥ-r), which carries the core meaning of 'to choose' or 'to select.' It is directly related to the masculine noun בָּחוּר (bachur, H970), meaning 'young man' or 'chosen one.' This etymological connection suggests that youth was culturally viewed as a 'chosen' or prime time of life—a period of select strength and capability. The abstract feminine plural form emphasizes the collective quality or state of being young.
Semantic Range
בְּחֻרוֹת is theologically significant in the book of Ecclesiastes, where it frames a critical ethical and spiritual exhortation. The Preacher's address to youth (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:1) is not a license for hedonism but a sober charge to remember one's Creator during the divinely granted season of strength and opportunity. It ties human mortality and divine accountability directly to the lifecycle, teaching that one's relationship with God must be central from the very beginning of one's conscious life. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting youth not merely as a biological stage but as a theological moment of responsibility and grace.
In ancient Israelite culture, youth was not just an age but a recognized social stage marked by peak physical strength, capacity for work, military service, and marriage. The term's root meaning ('to choose') may reflect that young men were 'chosen' for such roles. The direct address to youth in Ecclesiastes assumes they are moral agents responsible for their actions, countering any modern tendency to view adolescence as a prolonged period of diminished responsibility. The cultural expectation was to transition purposefully from youth into full adult roles and wisdom.
נַעַר (na'ar, H5288) — a more general term for a boy, youth, or servant, often emphasizing younger age or subordination. בָּחוּר (bachur, H970) — the masculine singular counterpart, specifically a young man in his prime, often a warrior. עֶלֶם (elem, H5958) — a young man, often implying vigor or the age just past youth, with fewer occurrences.
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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