בָּשָׂר (ba.sar)
ba.sar
flesh
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 203 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun basar refers to the soft tissue of living beings, covering both human and animal bodies. It appears frequently in the Torah, describing the meat offered in sacrifices or the physical substance of creatures (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:19). The word captures the tangible reality of life, often standing in contrast to bones or skin when emphasizing vulnerability.
Beyond anatomy, basar carries significant relational and theological weight. It denotes kinship, as seen when Adam calls Eve "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23). In prophetic literature, it represents humanity’s frailty before God, highlighting that people are mortal and dependent rather than self-sufficient (Isaiah 40:6).
The term also functions as a euphemism for male genitalia in legal contexts regarding purity and marriage (Leviticus 15:19). This usage underscores the connection between physical intimacy, lineage, and ritual state. Translators typically render it "flesh," though context determines whether the focus is on food, family ties, or human weakness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word basar points to the tangible reality of human life. It describes the physical body, but also the fragile nature of humanity before God. When Scripture speaks of flesh, it often reminds us that we are not self-sufficient. We depend on God for breath and strength. This truth humbles us and drives us to rely on His grace rather than our own power.
Yet basar is not only about weakness. It also signifies deep connection. When Adam called Eve flesh of his flesh, he spoke of kinship and unity. In marriage, two people become one flesh, sharing life together. This physical bond reflects a spiritual reality: we are made for relationship, both with God and with each other.
Understanding this word helps us see how God values the whole person. He cares about our bodies as well as our souls. Whether in moments of vulnerability or times of intimate connection, basar reminds us that life is sacred because it comes from Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 203 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- flesh49×
- meat21×
- flesh/ his18×
- [the] flesh of18×
- the/ meat11×
- body/ his11×
- the/ flesh8×
- flesh/ my8×
- flesh/ your5×
- flesh/ its5×
- flesh/ their3×
- any of/ meat/ their3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּשָׂ֑ר13×
- בְּשָׂר֖/וֹ11×
- בְּשַׂ֣ר11×
- בָּשָׂ֖ר10×
- בָּשָֽׂר\׃7×
- בְּשַׂ֥ר7×
- בָּשָׂר֙6×
- בְּשָׂר֔/וֹ6×
- הַ/בָּשָׂ֔ר5×
- בָּשָׂ֗ר5×
- בָשָׂ֔ר4×
- מִ/בְּשָׂרָ/ם֙3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:23
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.”
This verse uses basar to define the essential kinship between Adam and Eve, establishing the foundation for human relationship.
-
Genesis 6:12
God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Here the term highlights universal human corruption, showing that moral failure affects all physical humanity without exception.
-
Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
The phrase one flesh connects physical union with the covenantal bond of marriage, indicating a profound unity between husband and wife.
-
Genesis 6:3
Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.”
God identifies humanity as flesh to emphasize mortal limitation, setting a boundary on human pride and spiritual striving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word basar mean?
How is basar different from other words for body?
Why does Genesis 2:24 mention one flesh?
Every Occurrence (203 verses across 25 books)
Genesis 31 verses
Yahweh God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh…
Genesis 2:23The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken…
Genesis 2:24Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
Genesis 6:3Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred…
Genesis 6:12God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:13God said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will…
Genesis 6:17I, even I, will bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the…
Genesis 6:19Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. They…
Genesis 7:15Pairs from all flesh with the breath of life in them went into the ship to Noah.
Genesis 7:16Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in.
Genesis 7:21All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the…
Genesis 8:17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping…
Genesis 9:4But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you shall not eat.
Genesis 9:11I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will…
Genesis 9:15I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no…
Genesis 9:16The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every…
Genesis 9:17God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the…
Genesis 17:11You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.
Genesis 17:13He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your…
Genesis 17:14The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people.…
Genesis 17:23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among…
Genesis 17:24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 17:25Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Genesis 29:14Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.
Genesis 37:27Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His…
Genesis 40:19Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will…
Genesis 41:2Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.
Genesis 41:3Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the…
Genesis 41:4The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.
Genesis 41:18and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;
Genesis 41:19and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of…