The meaning of “bâqaʻ” (H1234) — בָּקַע
Understanding bâqaʻ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, ha...
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Word Study: בָּקַע (bâqaʻ)
Root Meaning
The Hebrew root בָּקַע (bâqaʻ) is a primitive verb fundamentally conveying the action of splitting or cleaving something open. Its core sense involves a physical breaking apart or dividing, which extends metaphorically to breaking through barriers or rending asunder. This root meaning enriches the English glosses by emphasizing not just a simple break, but an active, forceful opening or cleaving that creates a passage or breach.
Usage in Scripture
Throughout the 51 occurrences of בָּקַע, the word consistently conveys the idea of breaking open or cleaving, whether it is natural phenomena, physical objects, or metaphorical barriers. The top translations such as "was broken up," "brake through," and "Thou didst cleave" reflect this dynamic sense of rupture and division. This range of usage reveals the word's flexibility to describe both divine acts of intervention and natural processes, always centered on the concept of opening or dividing.
Theological Significance
Theologically, בָּקַע underscores God's sovereign power to break through creation and human circumstances, demonstrating His ability to intervene decisively in history. This verb portrays God as one who cleaves open the earth or heavens to fulfill His purposes, symbolizing both judgment and deliverance. For the Christian faith, this breaking open points forward to Christ’s work of breaking through sin and death, offering believers a pathway to new life. It reminds us that God’s power is not passive but actively disrupts the status quo to bring about redemption and restoration.
Reflection: Genesis 7:11
“In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. windows: or, floodgates”
In Genesis 7:11, the phrase "all the fountains of the great deep broken up" uses בָּקַע to vividly describe the cataclysmic opening of the earth’s deep waters during the Flood. This verb highlights the force and completeness of God’s judgment in unleashing the floodwaters, emphasizing the dramatic and divine nature of the event. The word conveys that this was not a mere overflow but a powerful, intentional breach of the natural order by God’s command.
בָּקַע
make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear, win. - to cleave - generally, to rend, break, rip or open 1) to split, cleave, break open, divide, break through, rip up, break up, tear 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cleave, cleave open 1a2) to break through, break into 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cleft, be rent open, be split open 1b2) to be broken into 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cleave, cut to pieces, rend open 1c2) to break through, break down 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be ripped open, be torn open 1d2) to be rent 1d3) to be broken into 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to break into 1e2) to break through 1f) (Hophal) to be broken into 1g) (Hithpael) to burst (themselves) open, cleave asunder
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.