בְּחוּרִים (be.chu.rot)
be.chu.rot
youth
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun bachurim refers to youth or young people, functioning as an abstract plural that captures the collective state of being young rather than naming individuals. It appears in only three verses within the Hebrew Bible, with two instances found in Ecclesiastes and one in Numbers. In these contexts, it serves as a descriptor for a specific life stage characterized by vigor and vitality.
Its root relates to the concept of selection or choice, implying that youth is often viewed as a prime period chosen for service or experience. The word highlights the energy and potential inherent in this age group. Translators typically render it simply as "youth," preserving the straightforward reference to early adulthood without adding complex theological layers.
Understanding bachurim helps clarify passages where the text contrasts different stages of life. By focusing on the collective nature of the term, readers can see how Scripture often addresses the experiences of young people as a group. This word anchors discussions about aging and memory in Ecclesiastes, reminding readers that the strength of youth is a distinct and significant phase of human existence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bachurim points to the collective energy of youth, a time marked by vitality and potential. It is not just about age, but about the specific strength and vigor that comes with being young. In Scripture, this stage of life is recognized as a prime period for experience and service.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 invites you to rejoice in your youth while also remembering that God will bring all things into judgment. This balance acknowledges the joy of early adulthood without ignoring the reality of accountability. It encourages living fully while staying mindful of who holds ultimate authority over your life.
Similarly, Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges remembering your Creator in the days of youth before the harder years arrive. This is a call to establish your relationship with God early, when your heart is still eager and your body strong. It offers hope that faith formed in youth can sustain you through every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- youth<s>/ your2×
- from/ youth<s>/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/בְּחֻרָ֖י/ו1×
- בְּחוּרֹתֶ֑י/ךָ1×
- בְחוּרוֹתֶ֔/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
This verse uses the word to describe the active joy and vitality of young people, urging them to rejoice while remaining aware of divine judgment.
-
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
Here the term anchors a command to remember God early in life, highlighting youth as a critical time for spiritual foundation before physical decline begins.
-
Numbers 11:28
Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!”
Though translated as 'chosen men,' this occurrence links the concept of youth with selection and service, showing how young people were often identified by their readiness for leadership roles.