בֹּר
purify
Definition
The noun בֹּר (bôr) primarily denotes a state of purity, cleanness, or purification. It describes something that has been refined or made free from impurity, often in a moral or spiritual sense. In its biblical usage, it frequently refers to the purity of a person's actions or character, as seen when God rewards someone according to their 'cleanness' (2 Samuel 22:21, 25; Psalm 18:20, 24). In Isaiah 1:25, the word is used in the context of God's purifying action, as He promises to 'purely purge away' the dross of His people. The sense in Job 22:30 also pertains to the innocence or purity of a person that can lead to deliverance.
Biblical Usage
בֹּר is used exclusively in poetic and prophetic literature, appearing six times in the Old Testament. It is found in the Psalms (18:20, 24), the historical books (2 Samuel 22:21, 25—in David's song), the wisdom book of Job (22:30), and the prophecy of Isaiah (1:25). Its usage consistently relates to the concept of moral or ritual purity. In the Psalms and 2 Samuel, it describes the personal integrity or 'cleanness' of hands for which God rewards the faithful. In Isaiah, it describes God's own purifying action against sin.
Etymology
בֹּר is a noun derived from the root בָּרַר (bārar, H1305), which means 'to purify, select, or make bright.' This root conveys the idea of separating or refining something to remove impurities. Cognate nouns like בָּר (bār, H1249), meaning 'grain' or 'pure food,' and בֹּרִית (bōrît, H1287), meaning 'lye' or 'cleansing agent,' share this core concept of purification. The development from the verbal action of purifying to the noun describing the resulting state of purity is straightforward.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects human moral purity with divine action and reward. It underscores that God notices and responds to integrity ('cleanness of hands'), as seen in the prayers of David (Psalm 18:20). Furthermore, it highlights that ultimate purification is God's work, as He takes the initiative to purge sin from His people (Isaiah 1:25). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by emphasizing that biblical purity is not just an external ritual state but involves inner moral uprightness that God both requires and provides.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, purity was a central concept governing both ritual worship and social ethics. The idea of 'cleanness' (bôr) would resonate with practices of ritual washing and the refining of metals. When applied to a person's 'hands' (2 Samuel 22:21), it invoked the cultural image of hands representing one's actions. Pure hands symbolized blameless conduct in both dealings with others and worship before God, a concept more holistic than modern notions of mere hygiene or legal innocence.
טָהוֹר (ṭāhôr, H2889) — denotes ritual or ceremonial cleanness; often used for what is legally pure. זַךְ (zak, H2134) — means pure, clear, or bright; often describes abstract purity like motives or speech. נָקִי (nāqî, H5355) — means innocent, clean, or free from guilt; focuses more on legal acquittal or blamelessness.
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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