בָּדָא (ba.da)
ba.da
to devise
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb badah means to devise or contrive, typically with a negative connotation. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times describing human schemes against God’s people. In 1 Kings 12:26 and Nehemiah 4:3, it refers to plans made to undermine religious unity or mock divine protection.
Unlike words for creative invention that carry neutral or positive weight, badah implies cunning calculation often aimed at evil ends. The sources note its association with plotting rather than constructive design. Translators usually render it as "devise" or "contrive," preserving the sense of deliberate, often deceitful planning.
Its rarity in Scripture underscores how seriously ancient Israel viewed such schemes. When used, it highlights the contrast between human manipulation and divine sovereignty. The word serves as a reminder that clever plans against God’s purposes ultimately fail.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word badah describes a specific kind of human planning: devising or contriving schemes, often with a negative intent to oppose God’s people. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, highlighting how seriously ancient Israel viewed such calculated plots. Unlike neutral words for creation, this verb suggests cunning manipulation aimed at undermining divine purposes.
In 1 Kings 12:33, King Jeroboam devises a feast on a date of his own choosing to divert worship from Jerusalem. This act was not just religious innovation but a deliberate political scheme to solidify his power and separate the northern tribes from God’s established order. It serves as a stark reminder that human cleverness cannot override divine sovereignty.
Similarly, Nehemiah 6:8 records enemies trying to intimidate him by claiming he is plotting rebellion, though Nehemiah rightly identifies their words as imagined schemes born of fear and malice. These rare occurrences remind us that while opponents may devise complex plans against God’s people, such efforts ultimately fail. We can rest in the assurance that God sees through every contrivance and protects His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he had devised1×
- [are] inventing/ them1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בוֹדָֽא/ם\׃1×
- בָּדָ֣א1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 12:33
He went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and went up to the altar to burn incense.
This verse shows the word used to describe a politically motivated religious innovation devised by Jeroboam to undermine true worship.
-
Nehemiah 6:8
Then I sent to him, saying, “There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.”
Here Nehemiah rejects false accusations, identifying them as imagined schemes arising from the opponents' own fearful hearts rather than divine truth.