בָּרֹד

בָּרֹד

spotted (as if with hail)

Definition

The Hebrew noun בָּרֹד (bârôd) describes something that is 'spotted' or 'dappled,' specifically with a pattern resembling hail. It is used in the Old Testament to depict the appearance of streaked, speckled, or mottled animals, particularly in the context of Jacob's flocks in Genesis 31:10, 12. In these passages, the 'spotted' sheep and goats are a sign of God's provision and faithfulness to Jacob. The word also appears in Zechariah's vision of chariots pulled by 'grisled' or 'dappled' horses (Zechariah 6:3, 6), symbolizing divine judgment or movement across the earth.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only four times in the Old Testament. Its primary context is in narratives involving livestock and divine visions. In Genesis, it describes the spotted breeding animals in Jacob's flock, which became his wages from Laban (Genesis 31:10, 12). In Zechariah's prophetic vision, it describes the color of one team of horses among four, representing various spirits or divine forces (Zechariah 6:3, 6). The usage connects tangible, agricultural imagery with symbolic, visionary revelation.

Etymology

בָּרֹד (bârôd) is derived from the root בָּרַד (bârad, H1258), meaning 'hail.' The noun form literally means 'spotted as if with hail,' drawing a direct visual comparison to the scattered, white spots hail makes on the ground or on surfaces. This etymology highlights the ancient Hebrew practice of using concrete, observable phenomena from nature to describe abstract qualities like pattern or appearance.

Semantic Range

While primarily descriptive, this word gains theological significance in its contexts. In Genesis, the 'spotted' animals are instruments of God's covenant faithfulness, fulfilling His promise to prosper Jacob despite Laban's deception. In Zechariah, the 'dappled' horses are part of a complex vision of God's sovereign oversight and judgment over the nations. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting a simple visual descriptor to themes of divine provision, justice, and the revelation of God's plans through symbolic imagery. In the pastoral culture of the patriarchs, the appearance of livestock—specifically their color patterns—directly impacted wealth and inheritance. Spotted or speckled animals were less common and could be clearly distinguished in a mixed flock. This made them a practical, visible sign of Jacob's agreed-upon wages. The term's derivation from 'hail' also reflects an agrarian society's familiarity with weather patterns and their effects, using them as a benchmark for description. עָקֹד (ʿāqōd, H6124) — 'striped' or 'streaked'; used alongside בָּרֹד in Genesis 30:35-39 for describing marked animals, but with more emphasis on bands or stripes rather than spots.

Word Details