בְּעִיר

cattle

Definition

The Hebrew noun בְּעִיר (bᵉʻîyr) refers to domesticated livestock, specifically cattle or beasts of burden. It denotes animals that are owned, herded, and used for labor, food, or as a measure of wealth. In most contexts, it is a general term for a herd, as seen when Pharaoh commands Joseph to bring his family and his 'cattle' to Egypt (Genesis 45:17). In the legal context of Exodus 22:5, it refers to livestock that may stray and cause damage, implying personal property. In the wilderness narratives (Numbers 20:4, 8, 11), it highlights the Israelites' concern for their herds' survival, tying the word directly to sustenance and survival.

Biblical Usage

בְּעִיר is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and legal texts. It appears in Genesis (45:17), Exodus (22:5), Numbers (20:4, 8, 11), and once in poetry (Psalm 78:48). Its usage consistently refers to owned, living herds. In the Pentateuch, it is used in contexts of migration, legal responsibility, and provision. In Psalm 78:48, it is part of a poetic description of God's judgment on Egypt, where He 'gave over their cattle to the hail,' showing its role as vital property. The word is not used for wild animals but specifically for domesticated livestock under human care.

Etymology

בְּעִיר derives from the root בָּעַר (bāʻar, H1197), which fundamentally means 'to burn' or 'to consume.' In this derived sense, it relates to the idea of 'eating' or 'grazing,' hence an animal that consumes or grazes. This connects the noun to the basic function of livestock. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, show similar words for 'cattle,' indicating a shared cultural understanding of these animals as grazers.

Semantic Range

While primarily a practical term for livestock, בְּעִיר carries theological weight in contexts of God's provision and judgment. In the wilderness, the people's anxiety over their cattle (Numbers 20:4) tests their trust in God's care, which He answers by providing water from the rock (Numbers 20:8, 11). In Psalm 78:48, God's striking of Egypt's cattle is a direct act of judgment on their economic life and false deities, showcasing His sovereignty over creation and the possessions in which humans place their security. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting these animals to themes of dependence, blessing, and divine authority over all life.

In ancient Israelite culture, cattle (בְּעִיר) were a primary form of wealth, essential for food (milk, meat), materials (hides), agricultural labor (plowing), and transportation. Unlike modern industrial farming, these herds represented a family's or tribe's livelihood and stability. Their loss, as feared in the wilderness or enacted in the plagues, meant economic ruin and threatened survival. The term reflects a pastoral-agrarian society where livestock were integral to daily life and social status.

בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhēmâ, H929) — a broader term for animal, beast, or livestock, often including both domesticated and wild creatures. שׁוֹר (shôr, H7794) — specifically an ox or bull, a type of cattle used for labor or sacrifice. צֹאן (tṣōʼn, H6629) — small cattle like sheep and goats, distinguished from larger cattle (בְּעִיר).

Word Details

Scripture References