בּוּז
to disrespect
Definition
The Hebrew verb בּוּז (bûwz) fundamentally means to treat something or someone as worthless, expressing contempt or disdain. It describes a strong, active disrespect, often involving scornful rejection or mockery. In Proverbs 1:7, it describes the fool's attitude toward wisdom and instruction, while in Proverbs 23:9, it depicts the scornful rejection of a fool's words. The sense can intensify to utter contempt, as in the graphic warning against mocking one's parents in Proverbs 30:17.
Biblical Usage
בּוּז is used exclusively in poetic and wisdom literature, with all 11 occurrences found in Proverbs. It consistently describes the attitude of the foolish, wicked, or arrogant toward what is good and valuable. Key contexts include scorning wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 23:9), despising one's neighbor (Proverbs 14:21), and showing contempt for parents (Proverbs 23:22; 30:17), highlighting it as a hallmark of folly.
Etymology
As a primitive root, בּוּז is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related to the noun בּוּז (bûz, H937), meaning 'contempt.' Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, with similar meanings of 'to despise.' The root conveys the idea of treating something as lightweight or insignificant, hence worthless.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines a core sinful attitude: the active rejection of God-ordained authorities and values. To 'despise' wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) is to reject the fear of the Lord, the foundation of knowledge. Contempt for parents (Proverbs 23:22; 30:17) violates the fifth commandment and invites severe judgment. Understanding בּוּז reveals that biblical folly is not mere ignorance but a willful, scornful arrogance toward divine order.
In ancient Israel's honor-shame culture, showing בּוּז was a severe social transgression, publicly shaming and devaluing another. Contempt for parents or neighbors disrupted family and community harmony, which were central to societal stability. The strong warnings in Proverbs reflect the serious cultural and covenantal consequences of such scornful behavior.
מאס (mā'as, H3988) — to reject or refuse, often with a sense of spurning; more general than the scornful contempt of בּוּז. בזָה (bāzâ, H959) — to despise or hold in contempt; very close in meaning, sometimes used in parallel with בּוּז (e.g., Proverbs 1:7).
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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