The meaning of “בָּשָׂר”
Understanding bâsâr reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. - flesh (from its freshness) - by extens...
בָּשָׂר
body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. - flesh (from its freshness) - by extension, body, person - also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 9:11 | “And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” Word: בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) | |
| Judges 6:21 | “Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.” Word: בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) | |
| 1 Chronicles 11:1 | “Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.” Word: בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) | |
| Proverbs 14:30 | “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” Word: בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) | |
| Ezekiel 23:20 | “For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.” Word: בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Flesh
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Flesh, body, mankind
The Hebrew basar (בָּשָׂר) means flesh—humanity's physical, mortal nature. 'All flesh is grass' (Isaiah 40:6), emphasizing human frailty before the eternal God.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Flesh, sinful nature
The Greek sarx (σάρξ) means flesh—both the physical body and the fallen nature opposed to God. Paul contrasts walking 'after the flesh' versus 'after the Spirit' (Romans 8:4). Yet 'the Word was made flesh' (John 1:14) in the incarnation.