בָּגַד (ba.gad)
ba.gad
to act treacherously
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 37 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb bagad describes acting treacherously or dealing deceitfully, often implying a breach of trust that is hidden rather than open. Its root meaning relates to covering oneself with a garment, which figuratively suggests concealing one’s true intentions behind a facade of normalcy. This etymology highlights that the betrayal is not merely an error but a deliberate act of covert deception.
In Scripture, bagad frequently appears in prophetic literature and wisdom texts to condemn covenant unfaithfulness. It is used when Israel abandons its relationship with God (Hosea 5:7) or when individuals betray friends and spouses (Judges 9:23; Proverbs 2:17). The word carries a heavy weight, describing those who are "treacherous dealers" whose actions undermine the social and spiritual bonds that hold communities together.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bagad describes a hidden breach of trust, often linked to the image of covering one’s true intentions behind a facade. It is not merely a mistake but a deliberate act of deceit that undermines relationships and covenants. In Scripture, this term carries heavy weight, condemning those who betray God or others while appearing faithful on the surface.
For your faith life, this word serves as a sobering reminder to examine your own heart. It invites you to value transparency and integrity over hidden agendas. When we choose honesty, we reflect God’s character and strengthen the bonds of community around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treacherous [people]5×
- they have dealt treacherously4×
- [those who] act treacherously3×
- [one who] acts treacherously3×
- you have dealt treacherously2×
- they act treacherously2×
- and/ treacherous [people]2×
- you will act treacherously1×
- you must act treacherously1×
- you have acted treacherously1×
- treacherous1×
- to/ deal treacherously1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֹּגְדִ֣ים3×
- וּ֝/בוֹגְדִ֗ים2×
- בָּגָ֔דוּ2×
- בָּ֣גְדוּ2×
- תִּבְגּ֔וֹד1×
- תִבְגֹּֽדוּ\׃\ \ס1×
- נִבְגַּד֙1×
- מִ/בֹּגֵדָ֖ה1×
- לִ/בְגֹּ֖ד1×
- יִבְגֹּֽד\׃1×
- יִבְגְּדוּ\־1×
- וּ/בוֹגֵ֖ד1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 3:20
“Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so you have dealt treacherously with me, house of Israel,” says Yahweh.
This verse uses the marital metaphor to show how Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness is a direct betrayal of their covenant with God.
-
Judges 9:23
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Here, the word explains the political collapse of Abimelech’s rule as a divine judgment for the Shechemites’ treacherous actions.
-
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
The proverb contrasts the guiding integrity of the upright with the self-destructive nature of those who deal treacherously.
-
Exodus 21:8
If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her.
This legal case illustrates how betrayal violates specific protections, showing that deceit in relationships has tangible consequences.