בּוּז (buz)
buz
Buz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Buz appears in three biblical verses, referring to two distinct men and potentially a location. In Genesis 22:21, it identifies the second son of Nahor and Milcah, making him a nephew of Abraham and brother to Uz and Bethuel. This same name is later applied to a Gadite leader named Buz, father of Jahdo, who appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 5:14 during the time of the divided monarchy.
Lexical sources consistently link the name to the Hebrew root meaning "contempt" or "despise." This etymology is particularly striking when applied to Uz, Buz’s brother, whose name appears in the Book of Job. While some traditions associate a land named Buz with Job’s home, the biblical text itself only explicitly names the individuals. The recurrence of this name, carrying such a heavy meaning, stands as a notable feature of these patriarchal and tribal records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Buz carries a weight that feels heavy at first glance, rooted in a Hebrew word meaning contempt or despise. We often look for names that sound strong or noble, yet here we find one defined by what it rejects. This reminds us that human identity is not always about the titles we choose or the reputation we build. Sometimes, a name simply marks a place in history, reminding us that every individual has a story written into the broader narrative of God's people.
In Genesis, Buz appears as a nephew to Abraham, standing alongside his brother Uz. Later, he is listed among the tribal leaders of Gad, showing how these names connect families across generations. Even when a name seems obscure or carries a difficult meaning, it still holds a place in Scripture. This can be comforting; it suggests that no one is too small or too flawed to be remembered by God.
When we read these lists, we are invited to see the value of every person in God’s family. Your worth does not depend on how the world views you or whether your name sounds impressive. It rests in the fact that you are known and recorded by Him. May this reminder bring you peace, knowing that you are part of a lineage that God has carefully preserved.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Buz3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בּֽוּז\׃1×
- בּ֣וּז1×
- בּ֔וּז1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:21
Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
This verse places Buz in the immediate family of Abraham, showing that even those with names meaning contempt are included in the covenant lineage.
-
I Chronicles 5:14
These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
Here Buz is identified as a tribal ancestor, demonstrating how these names functioned to establish identity and leadership within the tribe of Gad.
-
Jeremiah 25:23
Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who have the corners of their beard cut off;
Buz is listed among distant nations facing judgment, indicating that the name may also refer to a people group or region outside Israel's direct lineage.