בֶּ֫תֶר (be.ter)
be.ter
cleft
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun bether literally means a cleft or split, referring to something divided into parts. In the biblical text, it appears only once, in Song of Solomon 2:14, where the beloved invites his partner to hide "in the clefts of the rocks." Here, the word paints a vivid picture of a secure hiding place within a rocky landscape, offering shelter and intimacy away from view.
While other ancient Near Eastern texts use this term for animal sacrifices cut in two during covenant rituals, the Song of Solomon uses it differently. It does not refer to a broken agreement or a ritual act, but rather to the physical geography of the land. The image suggests that true closeness is found not in open spaces, but in the protected crevices of the earth, symbolizing a relationship that is both private and safe.
This single usage highlights how the same word can carry heavy legal weight in one context while serving as a tender metaphor in another. Translators often render it simply as "clefts" or "crags," preserving the sense of a natural, rugged refuge. The verse captures a moment of quiet connection, using the solidity of stone to frame the tenderness of human love.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bether describes a cleft or split in rock, appearing only once in Scripture within the Song of Solomon. It paints a picture of a secure hiding place where lovers find shelter and intimacy away from public view. This imagery reminds us that closeness often thrives in protected spaces, far removed from the noise and exposure of the open world.
For your faith life, this suggests that God provides safe refuges during times of uncertainty. Just as the clefts of the rocks offered protection, you can find rest in the hidden places of prayer and trust. These moments allow for quiet connection with the Divine, framing tenderness within the solidity of His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ravine[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָֽתֶר\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 2:17
Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young deer on the mountains of Bether.
This verse uses bether to name a specific mountainous region, grounding the poetic invitation for intimacy in a real, rugged landscape that offers shelter and privacy.