בִּדְקַר

Bidkar, an Israelite

Definition

Bidqar is a proper noun referring to an Israelite individual mentioned only once in the Old Testament. He is identified as a companion or officer of Jehu, the military commander who became king of Israel. In the biblical narrative, Jehu orders Bidqar to cast the body of the slain King Joram (also called Jehoram) into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite, fulfilling a prophetic judgment (2 Kings 9:25). The name itself likely carries a meaning related to violence or piercing, derived from its etymological root. As a personal name, it does not have multiple senses, but its single appearance is tied to a pivotal moment of dynastic overthrow and divine retribution in Israel's history.

Biblical Usage

The word 'Bidqar' is used only one time in the Old Testament, specifically in the historical book of 2 Kings. It appears in the context of Jehu's bloody coup against the house of Ahab. After Jehu kills King Joram with an arrow, he commands Bidqar, his 'third man' (often understood as a high-ranking officer or chariot officer), to dispose of the body in the field that had been unjustly taken from Naboth (2 Kings 9:25-26). This single usage places Bidqar directly within a narrative of political assassination and the execution of God's judgment prophesied against Ahab's lineage.

Etymology

The name Bidqar (בִּדְקַר) is generally analyzed as a compound word. It likely consists of the preposition 'בְּ' (in, by, with) prefixed to a form of the root דָּקַר (daqar, H1856), which means 'to pierce, thrust through, stab.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'by stabbing' or 'with a stab.' Some scholars suggest it means 'in the stab' or even 'assassin,' which would be fitting given his role in Jehu's violent regime change. It is a theophoric or descriptive name reflecting a characteristic or event.

Semantic Range

While Bidqar himself is a minor figure, his action is theologically significant. His disposal of Joram's body in Naboth's vineyard directly fulfills the prophecy of Elijah against Ahab (1 Kings 21:19-24). This connects Bidqar's single act to the broader biblical themes of God's faithfulness to His word, the certainty of judgment for covenant-breaking and injustice, and the use of human agents—even in violent political upheavals—to accomplish divine purposes. Understanding the meaning of his name ('by stabbing') subtly underscores the violent means of this judgment.

In ancient Israelite culture, names often held meaning and reflected circumstances, hopes, or characteristics. 'Bidqar' is a name implying violence or martial skill, which was not uncommon for military officers. His title as Jehu's 'third man' (שָׁלִישׁ, shalish) likely denotes a high-ranking military aide, perhaps the third warrior in a chariot crew or a trusted captain. The command to cast a king's body onto a specific plot of land was a profound act of desecration and symbolic justice, publicly dishonoring Joram and visibly fulfilling the curse on his family for the murder of Naboth and theft of his inheritance.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper noun. However, the root word is key: דָּקַר (daqar, H1856) — meaning to pierce or stab, used for violent killing (e.g., Numbers 25:8, Zechariah 12:10).

Word Details

Scripture References