בְּכִית (be.khit)
be.khit
weeping
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun bekhît refers specifically to weeping or lamentation, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Genesis 50:4. In this context, it describes the intense mourning period for Joseph, marking a formal and public expression of grief by his brothers and Egyptian officials.
Its singular occurrence highlights the weight of the moment rather than offering a broad semantic range. The word captures the audible act of crying out in sorrow, serving as a narrative marker for the depth of loss felt by those who had previously feared Joseph’s judgment but now honored his memory.
Translators typically render this term simply as "weeping" or "mourning," reflecting its straightforward nature. Unlike words that might imply silent sadness or internal regret, bekhît points to the external, communal ritual of lamentation that accompanied the burial rites in ancient Near Eastern culture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for weeping appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, marking a pivotal moment in Genesis 50:4. This specific term describes the formal and public mourning that followed Joseph’s death. It was not merely silent sadness but an audible expression of grief shared by his brothers and Egyptian officials.
Seeing this single occurrence helps us understand how deeply Joseph was loved and respected. The intensity of their weeping shows a profound shift from fear to honor. It reminds us that genuine reconciliation often involves acknowledging the weight of loss together.
In your own life, you may face seasons where grief feels heavy and public. This verse offers comfort by showing that such expressions are natural and valid. God sees the depth of your sorrow and honors the honest lamentation you bring to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- weeping/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְכִית֔/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 50:4
When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
This is the only occurrence of the word, marking the formal end of the mourning period for Joseph.