בָּזָא (ba.za)
ba.za
to divide
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb baza carries a sharp, physical sense of dividing or cutting through something. It is not a gentle separation but an act that splits or cleaves matter apart. With only two occurrences in the entire Old Testament, this word remains rare and specific in its application.
Its most notable appearance is in Isaiah 50:6, where the servant describes having his back struck by those who pull out his beard. Here, the term likely refers to the cutting or tearing action involved in that violent act. The imagery is visceral, emphasizing the physical force used against the prophet figure.
Because of its scarcity, the word does not develop a broad range of metaphorical meanings elsewhere in Scripture. Translators typically render it as "cut" or "tear," focusing on the immediate physical action rather than any abstract spiritual concept. Its power lies entirely in its concrete depiction of bodily harm.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word baza describes a sharp, physical division, often involving cutting or tearing. In Isaiah 18:2 and 18:7, it depicts rivers that divide the land of a powerful nation. This imagery highlights how natural forces can create boundaries and distinct regions within the earth.
For your faith, this reminds us that God oversees all divisions and separations. Whether in geography or in life’s challenges, He remains sovereign over every boundary. The servant in Isaiah 50:6 also experiences a form of division through violence, yet he trusts God amidst suffering. This shows that even when we face harsh treatment or separation, we can rely on God’s presence.
Though rare, this word points to the reality that God works through both natural and human events. It invites us to trust Him when our paths seem divided or uncertain, knowing He holds all things together in His purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they divide2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּזְא֥וּ1×
- בָּזְא֤וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 18:2
that sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus on the waters, saying, “Go, you swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that measures out and treads down, whose land the rivers divide!”
The word describes how rivers physically divide the land of a tall and smooth nation, emphasizing God's control over geographical boundaries.
-
Isaiah 18:7
In that time, a present will be brought to Yahweh of Armies from a people tall and smooth, even from a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that measures out and treads down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of Yahweh of Armies, Mount Zion.
It reiterates the division of the land by rivers, linking this natural feature to the eventual bringing of a present to Mount Zion.