The meaning of “בָּחַר”
Understanding bâchar reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. - properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) sel...
בָּחַר
acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. - properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 13:11 | “Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Word: בָּחַר (bâchar) | |
| Joshua 24:15 | “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Word: בָּחַר (bâchar) | |
| 1 Kings 11:34 | “Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:” Word: בָּחַר (bâchar) | |
| Nehemiah 9:7 | “Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;” Word: בָּחַר (bâchar) | |
| Song of Solomon 5:15 | “His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.” Word: בָּחַר (bâchar) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Elect
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To choose, select, elect
The Hebrew bachar (בָּחַר) means to choose or select—God's sovereign election. 'The LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself' (Deuteronomy 7:6).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Elect, chosen
The Greek eklektos (ἐκλεκτός) means chosen or elect—those selected by God. Believers are 'elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father' (1 Peter 1:2).