בָּשַׂר (ba.sar)
ba.sar
to bear tidings
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb basar means to bring news or bear tidings. In the Old Testament it appears most often in Isaiah, II Samuel, and I Samuel. The word carries a sense of urgency and importance, as if the messenger is running to deliver a crucial update.
Its most frequent form is the Piel stem, which adds intensity. Here basar means to gladden with good news or to preach salvation. It is not just reporting facts but announcing something that brings joy or relief. For example, in II Samuel 18:20-27, messengers run to King David with news of battle outcomes. The word captures the weight of that moment.
A rare Hithpael form appears in Genesis 40:13, where Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s cupbearer’s dream by saying he will be restored and basar good news to his master. This reflexive use suggests receiving or experiencing the glad tidings oneself. The root likely relates to bare legs, implying speed and readiness to run.
Translators often render basar as “preach” or “proclaim,” especially in Isaiah’s famous passages about announcing God’s salvation (Isaiah 40:9; 52:7). This connects the Hebrew idea of urgent news-bearing to the New Testament concept of preaching the gospel. The word bridges physical speed with spiritual significance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word basar describes more than simple information sharing; it captures the urgent act of running to deliver news that changes everything. In ancient Israel, this was often a messenger sprinting across rugged terrain with vital updates about battles or royal decrees. The physical effort involved highlights the weight of the message itself. It is not casual chatter but a critical transmission of reality that demands an immediate response from those who hear it.
For your faith, this concept bridges the gap between historical events and spiritual hope. While messengers once ran to announce military outcomes or royal births, the prophets used this same urgent language for God’s salvation. Isaiah envisions runners on mountains, their feet beautiful because they carry the promise that God reigns and cares for His people. This transforms the idea of news from a mere report into a source of relief and joy.
When you encounter Scripture, remember that the gospel is not a static text but living news. It invites you to receive the assurance that God is actively involved in history and in your life. This urgent proclamation offers comfort in difficult seasons, reminding us that the most important updates come from the Lord Himself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you bear news2×
- bear news2×
- [one who] bears news2×
- O bearer of news of2×
- you will bear [the] news1×
- to/ bear news1×
- to/ bear [the] news to1×
- to/ bear [the] news1×
- they will bear news1×
- the/ bearer of news1×
- like/ a bearer of news1×
- let him receive [the] news1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר2×
- לְ/בַשֵּׂ֛ר2×
- בַּשְּׂר֥וּ2×
- תְּבַשֵּֽׂר\׃1×
- תְּבַשְּׂר֖וּ1×
- תְבַשֵּׂ֔ר1×
- מְבַשֶּׂ֣רֶת1×
- מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת1×
- מְבַשֵּֽׂר\׃1×
- מְבַשֵּׂ֗ר1×
- לְ/בַשֵּׂ֣ר1×
- כִ/מְבַשֵּׂר֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
This verse uses the word to describe the messenger whose feet are beautiful because they announce God's reign and peace, elevating the act of bearing tidings to a sacred privilege.
-
II Samuel 18:31
Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.”
The Cushite uses this term to declare that Yahweh has avenged the king, showing how the word carries the weight of divine intervention and personal relief.
-
Isaiah 61:1
The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
Here the prophet describes his own mission to preach good news to the humble, linking the urgent act of bearing tidings directly to healing and liberation.