בְּרִיאָה
a creation, i.e. a novelty
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּרִיאָה (bᵉrîyʼâh) refers specifically to a 'creation' or a 'novelty'—something that has been brought into existence as a new and unprecedented act. It is the feminine form derived from the verb בָּרָא (bara'), which denotes divine creative activity. In its sole biblical occurrence, Numbers 16:30, it describes a miraculous, ground-breaking event where the earth opens as a direct act of God, creating something entirely new as a sign of judgment. This usage emphasizes that the event is not a natural phenomenon but a fresh, supernatural intervention.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 16:30, within the narrative of Korah's rebellion. Moses declares that if God 'creates a creation' (יִבְרָא יְהוָה בְּרִיאָה), causing the earth to open and swallow the rebels, it will be a definitive sign of divine judgment. The context is one of judicial miracle, where God intervenes in history to establish authority in a novel and terrifying way.
Etymology
בְּרִיאָה is a feminine noun derived from the root בָּרָא (H1254, bara'), a verb predominantly used for God's creative activity, especially in Genesis 1. The root conveys the concept of bringing something into existence, often with a focus on divine fiat and sovereignty. The feminine noun form specifically denotes the concrete result or product of that creative act—the 'thing created' or the 'novelty' itself.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects a specific, miraculous act of judgment to the foundational biblical concept of God as Creator. Its sole use in Numbers 16:30 shows that God's creative power is not limited to the original creation but is actively exercised in history to enact justice and confirm His word. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting that the event was not merely an earthquake but a deliberate, new creative act, underscoring God's absolute authority to shape reality in response to human rebellion.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, the idea of a deity causing the earth to open was a profound sign of divine power and judgment. For Israel, witnessing such a 'new creation' would have been understood as a direct, unmistakable intervention by Yahweh, distinguishing Him from idols and natural forces. It served as a powerful deterrent against challenging God's appointed leadership.
מַעֲשֶׂה (maʿăśeh, H4639) — a more general term for a 'deed' or 'work,' including but not limited to creative acts. בְּרִיאָה specifies a novel, creational product.
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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