בָּחַל

בָּחַל

to loath

Definition

The Hebrew verb בָּחַל (bâchal) means to loathe, abhor, or reject with disgust. It describes a strong emotional and moral aversion, often implying that something is considered unclean, detestable, or utterly unacceptable. In its two biblical occurrences, the sense is consistent: in Proverbs 20:21, it refers to an inheritance gained hastily being 'loathed' or ultimately rejected, while in Zechariah 11:8, God expresses that His soul 'loathed' or abhorred a corrupt group of people, leading to their rejection.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament. In Proverbs 20:21, it is used in a wisdom context to describe the eventual contempt for an inheritance acquired too quickly and unjustly ('An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end'). In Zechariah 11:8, it appears in a prophetic narrative where God expresses divine revulsion toward three shepherds (likely representing corrupt leaders), leading Him to reject them ('My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me'). Both uses convey a strong sense of moral rejection.

Etymology

בָּחַל is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to rejection or loathing. A possible cognate in Arabic suggests a sense of being vile or foul. The KJV margin note for Proverbs 20:21 interestingly connects it to a different root, בָּהַל (H926), meaning 'to hasten' or 'be alarmed,' but this is considered a textual variant; the primary meaning of בָּחַל remains distinct as 'to loathe.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it expresses God's profound moral revulsion toward sin and corruption, as seen in Zechariah 11:8. It underscores that God's judgment is not merely a legal decree but a personal, holy reaction to evil. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the emotional intensity behind divine rejection of wickedness and the ultimate futility of unjust gain, as taught in Proverbs. In the ancient Near Eastern context, loathing or abhorrence often carried a ritual or covenantal dimension. Something 'loathed' was typically considered unfit for community or divine relationship. In Zechariah's shepherd metaphor, the loathing signifies a complete breaking of a pastoral covenant, which would have been understood as a severe relational rupture. תָּעַב (taʿab, H8581) — often 'to abhor' with a stronger connotation of ritual or moral abomination; מָאַס (maʾas, H3988) — to reject or despise, more general, often used for refusing or casting away.

Word Details