בָּכָה (ba.khah)
ba.khah
to weep
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 90 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb bākhāh describes the physical act of weeping, covering a wide spectrum of human emotion. It is used for tears shed in deep grief, such as Jacob’s mourning for Joseph in Genesis 37:35, but also for joyful reunion, as when Joseph embraces his brothers and weeps in Genesis 45:15. This versatility shows that the word itself does not dictate the cause of the tears, only their release.
A distinctive feature of this root is its phonetic quality; the guttural sounds mimic the heavy, labored breaths associated with sobbing. The lexicons note that it can describe weeping bitterly or even weeping upon someone in an embrace. In narrative contexts, it often marks pivotal moments of emotional breaking, such as David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:17.
Translators typically render bākhāh as "weep" or "mourn," capturing the raw expression of sorrow or overwhelming feeling. Its frequent appearance in Genesis and the historical books highlights its role in biblical storytelling, where tears signal profound shifts in relationships or fate. The word grounds abstract emotions in tangible, bodily reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word bākhāh captures the raw, physical reality of weeping. It is not a polite or restrained expression but a release of deep emotion, whether from grief, relief, or overwhelming love. The sound of the word itself mimics the heavy breaths of sobbing, grounding our feelings in bodily truth. Scripture does not shy away from this vulnerability; instead, it shows us that tears are a natural part of the human experience.
In your own life, you may find comfort in knowing that biblical figures wept openly. Jacob wept for Joseph, and Joseph wept for his brothers. These moments were not signs of weakness but of profound connection and love. When you feel overwhelmed, it is okay to let those tears fall. They do not diminish your faith; they often mark the deepest shifts in your heart.
This word reminds us that God sees our tears. Whether you are mourning a loss or rejoicing in a reunion, your emotions are valid before Him. You do not need to hide your sorrow or force a smile. There is peace in bringing your whole self, including your weeping, into the presence of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 90 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they wept15×
- and/ he wept14×
- and/ she wept6×
- and/ weeping5×
- to/ weep4×
- and/ you wept4×
- and/ they wept for4×
- [were] weeping4×
- you weep3×
- weeping3×
- they wept3×
- weep2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יֵּ֥בְךְּ7×
- וַ/יִּבְכּֽוּ\׃3×
- וַ/יִּבְכּ֑וּ3×
- תִּבְכּ֑וּ2×
- תִבְכֶּֽינָה\׃2×
- יִבְכּוּ֙2×
- יִבְכָּיֽוּ/ן\׃2×
- וַ/תֵּ֣בְךְּ2×
- וַ/תִּבְכֶּ֖ה2×
- וַ/יֵּֽבְךְּ\׃2×
- וַ/יֵּ֑בְךְּ2×
- וַ/יִּבְכּוּ֙2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 45:15
He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
This verse highlights how weeping can accompany reconciliation and forgiveness, showing that tears are not always tied to sorrow.
-
Genesis 37:35
All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, “For I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” His father wept for him.
Here the word describes Jacob’s persistent grief for Joseph, illustrating its use for deep, enduring mourning.
-
Genesis 29:11
Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
Jacob weeps upon kissing Rachel, demonstrating that the word applies to overwhelming joy and relief as well as sadness.
-
Numbers 14:1
All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
The people weep in fear and rebellion, showing how the same word can express despair when trust in God is lacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word bākhāh mean?
Is weeping seen as weakness in the Bible?
Does bākhāh only mean sad crying?
Every Occurrence (90 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 14 verses
She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of…
Genesis 23:2Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep…
Genesis 27:38Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up…
Genesis 29:11Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
Genesis 33:4Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.
Genesis 37:35All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, “For I will go down…
Genesis 42:24He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among…
Genesis 43:30Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and…
Genesis 45:14He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.
Genesis 45:15He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
Genesis 46:29Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell…
Genesis 50:1Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him.
Genesis 50:3Forty days were used for him, for that is how many days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy…
Genesis 50:17‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to…