בֹּהוּ
a vacuity, i.e. (superficially) an undistinguishable ruin
Definition
The Hebrew word בֹּהוּ (bôhûw) describes a state of emptiness, desolation, or formless void. In its most famous occurrence, Genesis 1:2, it is paired with תֹהוּ (tôhû, H8414) to depict the primeval, chaotic, and uninhabitable condition of the earth before God's creative ordering. In prophetic literature, it signifies a state of utter ruin and judgment, as seen in Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23, where it describes the devastating consequences of God's wrath, reducing once-inhabited places to a desolate wasteland.
Biblical Usage
בֹּהוּ appears only three times in the Old Testament, always in poetic or prophetic contexts describing desolation. It is used twice in conjunction with תֹהוּ (tôhû): in the foundational creation narrative (Genesis 1:2) and in a prophecy of judgment against Edom (Isaiah 34:11). In Jeremiah 4:23, the prophet uses the same pairing to describe his apocalyptic vision of Judah's coming judgment, mirroring the pre-creation chaos to emphasize total reversal and devastation.
Etymology
Derived from an unused root meaning 'to be empty.' It is a primitive noun that primarily conveys the concept of vacuity or emptiness. While its exact root is uncertain, its meaning is clearly established through its biblical usage, consistently relating to formlessness and desolation. It is often considered a rhyming or complementary term to תֹהוּ (tôhû), with which it is frequently paired.
Semantic Range
בֹּהוּ is theologically significant as it describes the 'formless void' from which God created the ordered cosmos in Genesis 1:2, highlighting God's sovereignty over chaos. In the prophets, it becomes a powerful image of divine judgment, portraying the reversal of creation into chaos as a consequence of sin (Jeremiah 4:23). Understanding this word enriches the biblical theme of God bringing order from disorder, life from emptiness, and hope from desolation.
In the ancient Near Eastern worldview, a formless, empty, and chaotic state often represented the pre-creation condition or a divine curse. The pairing of בֹּהוּ with תֹהוּ in Genesis 1:2 may intentionally contrast with neighboring creation myths that personified chaos as a divine enemy. For Israel, this 'void' was not a rival god but simply the raw, unordered material upon which Yahweh's creative word acted with supreme authority.
תֹהוּ (tôhû, H8414) — Often paired with בֹּהוּ; emphasizes 'wasteland' or 'confusion' more than pure emptiness. שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8074) — A more common term for 'desolation' or 'devastation,' often of land due to judgment.
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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