בָּרַק (ba.raq)
ba.raq
to flash
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb baraq describes the sudden, brilliant flash of lightning. It captures not just the light itself, but the rapid, striking nature of a bolt tearing through the sky. In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Psalm 77:18, where it helps paint a vivid picture of divine power during a storm.
Its meaning is tightly bound to visual intensity and speed. Unlike words for general shining or glowing, baraq implies a sharp, startling burst of illumination. This specific imagery reinforces the theme of God’s majestic presence in nature, using the dramatic force of a thunderstorm to convey awe and reverence.
The single occurrence in Psalms links this natural phenomenon directly to theological reflection. The psalmist uses the flash of lightning as a metaphor for the visible manifestation of God’s authority, reminding readers that such displays are both beautiful and formidable.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word baraq describes the sudden, brilliant flash of lightning. It captures not just the light itself, but the rapid, striking nature of a bolt tearing through the sky. In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Psalm 77:18, where it helps paint a vivid picture of divine power during a storm.
Its meaning is tightly bound to visual intensity and speed. Unlike words for general shining or glowing, baraq implies a sharp, startling burst of illumination. This specific imagery reinforces the theme of God’s majestic presence in nature, using the dramatic force of a thunderstorm to convey awe and reverence.
The single occurrence in Psalms links this natural phenomenon directly to theological reflection. The psalmist uses the flash of lightning as a metaphor for the visible manifestation of God’s authority, reminding readers that such displays are both beautiful and formidable. When you see lightning, remember it points to a God who is present and powerful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- flash1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּר֣וֹק1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 144:6
Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them.
The verb baraq appears here as an imperative, asking God to actively use lightning as a weapon to scatter enemies, linking the natural phenomenon directly to divine intervention.