Bible Word Study
בְּעִי
bᵉʻîy · a prayer
בְּעִי
a prayer
Definition
The Hebrew noun בְּעִי (bᵉʻîy) refers to a prayer, specifically a cry or petition for help. It is derived from a root meaning 'to seek' or 'to ask,' indicating an earnest request. In its single biblical occurrence in Job 30:24, the word is used in the context of a desperate plea, though the KJV translates it as 'grave,' reflecting a textual difficulty. The primary sense remains that of a supplication, aligning with its root.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 30:24. In this verse, Job laments his suffering, stating, 'Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help (בְּעִי) in his distress.' The context is one of intense personal anguish and a cry for mercy, highlighting its use for a heartfelt, urgent prayer rather than a formal or ritual petition.
Etymology
בְּעִי comes from the root בָּעָה (bāʻâ, H1158), which means 'to seek,' 'to ask,' or 'to request.' This root is also related to words for making inquiry or supplication. The development from 'to seek' to 'a prayer' reflects the idea of earnestly seeking help or an answer from God, emphasizing the petitioner's dependence.
Semantic Range
Though rare, this word enriches the biblical understanding of prayer by emphasizing its aspect of desperate seeking. It portrays prayer not as a routine but as a cry from deep distress, as seen in Job's experience. This aligns with other heartfelt prayers in the Psalms and prophets, reminding readers that God hears even the most anguished pleas, reinforcing the theology of God's attentiveness to human suffering. In ancient Israelite culture, prayer was often vocal and emotional, especially in times of trouble. A 'בְּעִי' would be understood as an audible cry for help, not merely a silent thought. This contrasts with some modern, quieter conceptions of prayer, highlighting the raw, communal, and expressive nature of communication with God in distress. תְּפִלָּה (tᵉpillâ, H8605) — a more general term for prayer, often used for formal or set prayers. תְּחִנָּה (tᵉḥinnâ, H8467) — a supplication or plea for favor, emphasizing humility and entreaty.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]