בָּחוֹן (ba.chon)
ba.chon
assayer
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun bachon refers to an assayer, a specialist who inspects and values metals. In the ancient world, this was a crucial role for ensuring the purity of silver and gold before they entered commerce or were used in sacred objects. The word describes a person whose job is to test materials, separating what is genuine from what is flawed.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Jeremiah 6:27. There, God commands Jeremiah to set him as an assayer among His people. Just as a metalworker tests ore to find its true worth, Jeremiah’s role is to test the moral and spiritual condition of Jerusalem, exposing the corruption hidden beneath the surface.
The metaphor relies on the physical process of smelting, where impurities are burned away to reveal pure metal. By using this image, the text emphasizes that God’s judgment is not arbitrary but precise, identifying exactly what remains after the trial. The assayer does not create the value; he reveals it through rigorous examination.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bachon describes an assayer, someone who tests metal to reveal its true value. In Jeremiah 6:27, God uses this image to show how He examines His people. Just as a skilled worker separates pure gold from worthless dross, God’s judgment is precise and honest. It does not guess or ignore flaws but reveals what is truly inside us.
This truth can feel heavy when we face hard seasons. Yet it offers comfort because God sees clearly. He knows our strengths and our struggles without being fooled by appearances. His testing is not meant to destroy us but to refine us, helping us become more like Him over time.
You do not need to hide your imperfections from Him. He already knows them and loves you anyway. This honest relationship brings peace, knowing that God values truth and wants to help you grow in character and faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an assayer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּח֛וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 6:27
“I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress among my people, that you may know and try their way.
This verse establishes the metaphor by showing God appointing Jeremiah as an assayer to test the moral condition of His people.