בַּ֫עַד (be.ad)
be.ad
about/through/for
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 76 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The preposition be‘ad primarily denotes movement through a space or position behind something. It appears seventy-six times in the Hebrew Bible, often describing physical passage. In Joshua 2:15, for instance, Rahab lowers her rescuers down through a window, illustrating its core sense of traversing an opening or barrier.
Its meaning shifts contextually to indicate location behind an object, particularly with verbs of closing or enclosing. Genesis 7:16 uses it when God shuts the door behind Noah in the ark, while Judges 3:22 describes a dagger striking "behind" the enemy leader’s body. This spatial usage extends metaphorically to mean "on behalf of" or "for," as seen in Exodus 8:28 where Pharaoh agrees to sacrifice to the Lord.
The word’s range reflects a logic of proximity and mediation. Whether moving through a gate, standing behind a wall, or acting for another person, be‘ad connects an agent to a specific point of reference. Translators render it variously as "through," "behind," or "for," depending on whether the text emphasizes physical motion, spatial relation, or representative action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word be‘ad often describes physical movement, such as passing through a window or standing behind a door. In Joshua 2:15, Rahab lowers rescuers down through an opening, showing how this preposition marks a specific point of passage. It grounds us in the reality that God meets us in concrete spaces and moments.
Yet the word also carries the sense of acting on behalf of another. When Moses prays for the people or Aaron offers sacrifices for the community, be‘ad signals mediation. This reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles; others stand with us before God, and Christ stands as our ultimate representative.
Whether moving through a barrier or being covered by another’s intercession, this word points to connection. It invites us to trust that God provides ways of escape and sustains us through the support of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 76 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- for21×
- and/ for13×
- through11×
- behind7×
- for/ me5×
- behind/ him5×
- and/ behind5×
- for/ us4×
- for/ himself4×
- from/ behind3×
- for/ you3×
- for/ them3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּעַ֥ד12×
- בְּעַ֣ד11×
- בְּעַד\־7×
- וּ/בְעַ֖ד6×
- וּ/בְעַ֥ד4×
- וּ/בְעַ֣ד4×
- בַּעֲד֖/וֹ4×
- מִ/בַּ֖עַד3×
- וּ/בְעַד\־3×
- בְּעַ֖ד3×
- וּ/בְעַד֙2×
- הַ/בְעַ֖ד1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 2:15
Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was on the side of the wall, and she lived on the wall.
This verse illustrates the core spatial meaning as Rahab lowers her guests down through a specific opening in the wall.
-
Leviticus 16:17
No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.
Here the word indicates mediation, as the high priest makes atonement for himself and the entire assembly of Israel.
-
I Samuel 7:9
Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh. Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel, and Yahweh answered him.
Samuel cries out to Yahweh for Israel, showing the preposition’s use in representing the people before God.
-
Genesis 7:16
Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in.
God shuts Noah in behind the door, using the term to denote enclosure and protection within a specific space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does be‘ad mean in the Old Testament?
How is be‘ad different from other Hebrew prepositions?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (76 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in.
Genesis 20:7Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t…
Genesis 20:18For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Genesis 26:8When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold,…