בּוּזָה

בּוּזָה

something scorned; an object of contempt

Definition

בּוּזָה (bûwzâh) is a feminine noun meaning 'something scorned' or 'an object of contempt.' It describes a person, thing, or condition that is treated with utter disdain and considered worthless. The term carries a strong emotional and social weight, indicating not just mild disapproval but active derision. In its sole biblical occurrence in Nehemiah 4:4, it refers to the state of Jerusalem's ruined walls, which were a source of mockery and shame to the city and its people.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Nehemiah 4:4 (Hebrew 3:36). It is used in a prayer of lament by Nehemiah, who hears that the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem are being mocked by surrounding enemies. The context is one of national humiliation and vulnerability, where the physical ruin of the city's defenses becomes a symbol of its despised and degraded state before its adversaries.

Etymology

בּוּזָה is the feminine passive participle form of the root בּוּז (bûz, H936), which means 'to despise' or 'to hold in contempt.' As a participle, it describes the state or result of the action—'that which is despised.' Related words include the verb בּוּז (bûz) and the noun בּוּז (bûz, H937), meaning 'contempt.' The root conveys a strong sense of rejecting something as unworthy of respect.

Semantic Range

This word highlights the profound connection between a community's spiritual identity and its physical and social condition. In Nehemiah 4:4, Jerusalem's walls being an object of contempt (בּוּזָה) was not just a political or military issue; it was a theological crisis, as it reflected on the honor of God whose city it was. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Nehemiah's prayer, showing that rebuilding the walls was an act of restoring divine dignity and reversing a state of shame that affected God's people. In the ancient Near East, a city's walls were essential for security, honor, and identity. Broken walls signaled defeat, vulnerability, and a loss of sovereignty, making the city and its inhabitants a laughingstock to enemies. Being a 'בּוּזָה' was thus a deeply public and communal disgrace, far more severe than a private insult. It implied a complete loss of standing and power in the eyes of others. בּוּז (bûz, H937) — The more common noun for 'contempt,' focusing on the attitude of scorn rather than the object scorned. חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — 'reproach' or 'disgrace,' often used for the shame brought by enemies, overlapping in contexts of public humiliation.

Word Details