בְּשׂוֹרָה
glad tidings; by implication, reward forgood news
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּשׂוֹרָה (bᵉsôwrâh) primarily means 'good news' or 'glad tidings,' specifically referring to a positive report or announcement that brings joy. In its biblical usage, this news is often of a military or political nature, such as a victory in battle (2 Samuel 4:10). The word can also imply the 'reward' given to the messenger who brings such welcome news, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:22, where the context discusses a potential gift for the bearer. All its occurrences are found in the historical narratives of Samuel and Kings, consistently tied to the act of delivering a report.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the historical books of 2 Samuel and 2 Kings, always in the context of delivering a report, typically from a battlefield. The pattern involves a messenger arriving with news, and the narrative focuses on the content of the report and the reaction to it. For example, in 2 Samuel 18:20, Joab knows David would be pleased with news of Absalom's defeat, while in 2 Kings 7:9, lepers discover the abandoned Aramean camp and debate reporting this 'good news' of plenty to the king's household.
Etymology
The noun בְּשׂוֹרָה is a feminine form derived from the root בָּשַׂר (bāsar, H1319), which means 'to bear news' or 'to announce,' often with the sense of bringing fresh tidings. This root is also the source for the common verb for 'to preach' or 'to bring good news.' The shortened form בְּשֹׂרָה appears as a variant. The semantic development moves from the act of announcing to the content of the announcement itself.
Semantic Range
בְּשׂוֹרָה is theologically significant as the Hebrew precursor to the Greek term εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), meaning 'gospel' or 'good news.' Understanding this Old Testament word enriches the New Testament concept of the Gospel, showing that the idea of joyful, transformative proclamation is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. It connects God's acts of deliverance in history (like military salvation) to the ultimate salvation announced in Jesus Christ.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, good news was often delivered by a runner or messenger, and the bearer's life and reward depended on the nature of the report. A messenger with bad news could be killed, while one with good news, like victory in battle, was often rewarded (2 Samuel 4:10). This underscores the high stakes and personal risk involved in communication, making the 'good news' a matter of life, death, and material blessing.
שָׁלוֹם (shālôm, H7965) — Often translated 'peace,' it can imply a report of welfare or success, broader than just military news. דָּבָר (dābār, H1697) — A general term for 'word,' 'matter,' or 'report,' without the inherent connotation of joy. קוֹל (qôl, H6963) — Means 'voice' or 'sound,' and can refer to the proclamation of news itself.
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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