בִּאישׁ (bi.ush)
bi.ush
bad
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Aramaic word bi’ush means bad or evil. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezra 4:12. In this verse, officials describe their opponents as a "bad" city to justify their opposition. The term carries a sense of moral failing or harmful quality.
It derives from the root ba’ash, which literally means to stink. This origin suggests that badness is viewed as something foul or repulsive. The connection between physical odor and moral corruption is a known feature in ancient Near Eastern thought. Translators usually render it simply as "bad" or "evil," reflecting its straightforward negative judgment.
This single usage highlights how Aramaic, the language of diplomacy and administration in Ezra, was used to frame political disputes in moral terms. The word’s rarity makes its occurrence in Ezra particularly notable for understanding the rhetoric of that period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word בִּאישׁ appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Ezra 4:12. Here, local officials describe Jerusalem as a "bad city" to persuade the king that the Jewish returnees were a threat. The term carries a heavy weight of moral judgment, suggesting something foul or repulsive.
This single occurrence reminds us how language can be used to paint people in the worst possible light. When opponents label a community as bad, they often seek to justify opposition through fear rather than truth. It shows that political disputes are frequently wrapped in moral accusations.
For your faith, this word highlights the importance of discerning truth from manipulation. Not every negative label reflects reality. Instead of reacting to harsh words, we can trust that God’s purposes for His people remain secure, regardless of how others describe them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ evil/ <the>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בִֽישְׁתָּ/א֙1×
Key Verses
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Ezra 4:12
Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.
The officials use this rare term to characterize Jerusalem as morally corrupt and dangerous, aiming to stop the rebuilding efforts.