בָּחִיר (ba.chir)
ba.chir
chosen
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ba.chir describes someone or something selected by God for a specific purpose. It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, with significant presence in Psalms and Isaiah. The term emphasizes that the selection is not random but intentional, marking the subject as distinct and set apart.
In Scripture, this word often refers to people chosen by God, such as King David in 2 Samuel 22:51 or the nation of Israel in Psalm 47:4. It can also apply to places like Jerusalem or objects used in worship, highlighting their sacred status. The focus is on divine choice rather than human merit.
Its root relates to the idea of selecting the best or most suitable option. This concept underscores God's sovereign authority to designate individuals and communities for His work. The term appears in contexts that celebrate God's faithfulness to those He has chosen, reinforcing themes of covenant and promise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word bachir simply means "chosen." It is used twelve times in the Old Testament to describe people, places, or objects set apart by God for a specific purpose. This selection is not based on human merit but on God’s intentional will. When Scripture calls someone chosen, it highlights a special relationship defined by divine grace rather than personal achievement.
This truth offers deep comfort. Whether referring to Israel as a nation or individuals like David and Moses, the emphasis is always on God’s faithfulness to those He has designated. It reminds us that our standing before God rests on His choice, not our perfection. This perspective shifts our focus from trying to earn favor to resting in His steady commitment.
In the New Testament, this concept expands to include all believers in Christ. We are chosen not because we are better than others, but because God loves us. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our lives are held securely in His hands. It is a gift of grace that invites us to trust Him more deeply each day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- chosen ones/ his3×
- chosen one/ my3×
- chosen ones/ my2×
- to/ chosen ones/ my1×
- chosen ones/ your1×
- chosen one/ his1×
- [the] chosen one of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּחִירָֽי/ו\׃3×
- לִ/בְחִירַ֔/י1×
- בְּחִירֶ֗י/ךָ1×
- בְּחִירִ֖/י1×
- בְּחִירִ֑/י1×
- בְּחִ֣יר1×
- בְחִירָֽ/י\׃1×
- בְחִירַ֔/י1×
- בְחִירִֽ/י\׃1×
- בְחִיר֗/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 21:6
let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Yahweh.” The king said, “I will give them.”
This verse identifies Saul as "the chosen of Yahweh," showing that even flawed leaders were selected for their role in Israel's history.
-
Psalms 105:6
you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Here the psalmist addresses the descendants of Jacob as God's chosen ones, linking their identity directly to their ancestor Abraham.
-
Isaiah 42:1
“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
This passage describes the Servant as God's chosen one in whom His soul delights, a key text for understanding messianic expectations.
-
Isaiah 65:22
They will not build and another inhabit. They will not plant and another eat; for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and my chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands.
The promise that God's chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands points to future security and blessing for the faithful.