Original Word: בָּחַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: bachar
Pronunciation: bä-khar'
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-khar')
Definition: To choose, select, elect
Meaning: to try, select

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - 1586 (ἐκλέγομαι, eklegomai): To choose, select

- 138 (αἱρέομαι, haireomai): To take, choose

Usage: The Hebrew verb "bachar" primarily means "to choose" or "to select." It conveys the act of making a choice or decision, often with a sense of preference or favor. In the biblical context, it frequently refers to God's sovereign choice, whether in selecting individuals, groups, or places for a specific purpose or blessing. It also describes human choices, particularly in the context of choosing to follow God's commandments or ways.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the concept of choice was significant, both in divine and human contexts. God's choices, such as the election of Israel as His people or the selection of David as king, were foundational to Israel's identity and understanding of their covenant relationship with God. Human choices, especially in terms of obedience to God's law, were seen as expressions of faithfulness and devotion. The act of choosing was not merely a personal preference but often carried covenantal and communal implications.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to choose
NASB Translation
choice (6), choicest (2), choose (40), chooses (22), choosing (1), chose (21), chosen (67), desired (2), men (1), preferred (1), require (1), select (1), selected (1), selected from the choice (1), selects (1), tested (1).

בָּחַר verb choose (compare Aramaic בְּחַר, Syriac "" בחן, Assyrian bêru (√ באר):3 Dl^{Pr 76}) —

Qal Perfect בָּחַר Deuteronomy 7:6 66t.; יִבְחַר Isaiah 41:24 60t.; אֶבֲחַר Job 29:25 (Baer); Imperative בְּחַר Exodus 17:9 5t.; Infinitive absolute בָּחוֺר 1 Samuel 2:28; Isaiah 7:15,16; Infinitive construct suffix בָּחֳרִי Ezekiel 20:5; Participle בֹּחֵר 1 Samuel 20:30; Zechariah 3:2; passive בָּחוּר Exodus 14:7 18t.; —

1 with בְּ

a. divine choice, of Abraham Nehemiah 9:7; Israel Deuteronomy 7:7; Isaiah 44:1; Ezekiel 20:5; to become his people Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Jeshurun Isaiah 44:2; the seed of the patriarchs Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 10:15; Levites Deuteronomy 18:5; Deuteronomy 21:5; 1 Chronicles 15:2; 2Chronicles 29:11; Aaron Psalm 105:26; Judah 1 Chronicles 28:4 not Ephraim Psalm 78:67; Levi and Judah Jeremiah 33:24; the king Deuteronomy 17:15, especially David 1 Samuel 10:24; 1 Samuel 16:8,9,10; 2 Samuel 6:21; 1 Kings 8:16 (= 2 Chronicles 6:6) 1 Chronicles 28:4,5; 1 Chronicles 29:1; 2Chronicles 6:5; Psalm 78:70; others Numbers 16:5; Numbers 17:20 (P) Haggai 2:23; place of sacrifice Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 14:25; Deuteronomy 16:7,15; Deuteronomy 17:8; 2Chronicles 7:12; the city 1 Kings 8:16,44 (= 2 Chronicles 6:5,34) 1 Kings 11:32; Jerusalem 2Chronicles 6:6; Isaiah 14:1; Zechariah 1:17; Zechariah 2:16; Zechariah 3:2; Zion Psalm 132:13; delusions Isaiah 66:4.

b. man's choice, of ways Proverbs 3:31; Isaiah 66:3; good things Isaiah 7:15,16; life Deuteronomy 30:19; gods Judges 10:14; Isaiah 41:24; God's pleasure Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4.

2 with אֲשֶׁר (alone, for ׳אשׁר בחר ב):

a. divine choice, Israel Isaiah 41:8 יַעֲקֹב אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתִּיךָ, Isaiah 43:10; the people 1 Kings 3:8; Psalm 33:12; men Numbers 16:7 (P) Psalm 65:5; king 2 Samuel 16:18; 1 Kings 11:34; place of sacrifice Deuteronomy 12:14,26; Deuteronomy 15:20; Deuteronomy 17:10; Deuteronomy 31:11 (D) Joshua 9:27 (P), especially לָשׂוּם שְׁמוֺ שָׁם Deuteronomy 12:5,21; Deuteronomy 14:24, לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֺ שָׁם Deuteronomy 12:11; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 16:2,6,11; Nehemiah 1:9; the city 1 Kings 8:48 (= 2 Chronicles 6:38), לשׂום שׁמי שׁם 1 Kings 11:36; 1 Kings 14:21 (= 2 Chronicles 12:13); Jerusalem 1 Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:7 (= 2 Chronicles 33:7) 2 Kings 23:27; fast Isaiah 58:5,6; way Psalm 25:12.

b. man's choice, place to dwell in Deuteronomy 23:7; gardens Isaiah 1:29; king 1 Samuel 12:13; wives Genesis 6:2 (J); what to do 2 Samuel 15:15.

3 with accusative & לְ, choose some one or something for:

a. divine choice, of Levi 1 Samuel 2:28; Jacob Psalm 135:4; Psalm 135:5; inheritance Psalm 47:5.

b. human choice persons Exodus 17:9; Joshua 24:15,22 (E) 1 Samuel 8:18; 1 Samuel 13:12; 2 Samuel 24:12 (= 1 Chronicles 21:20); things Genesis 13:11 (J) 1 Samuel 17:40; 1 Kings 18:23,25; Job 34:4.

4 with accusative and מִן, choose, select from 2 Samuel 10:9 (= 1 Chronicles 19:10).

5 accusative

a. divine choice, temple 2 Chronicles 7:16; Judah Psalm 78:68; servant Isaiah 41:9; Isaiah 49:7.

b. man's choice, persons Exodus 18:28 (E) Judges 5:8; Joshua 8:3 (J) 2 Samuel 17:1; things Job 7:15; Job 9:14; Job 15:5; Job 29:25; Job 34:33; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:173; Proverbs 1:29; Isaiah 40:20.

6 with עַל, כי על זה בחרת מעני for this thou hast chosen rather than affliction Job 36:21; with accusative and על pregnantly כל אשׁר תבחר עלי all that thou choosest (to lay) upon me 2 Samuel 19:39.

7 with לְ of accusative 1 Samuel 20:30 (many MSS. have בְּ; but ᵐ5 We Dr read חָבֵר companion). The participle בָּחוּר chosen, of a ruler Psalm 89:20, warrior Jeremiah 49:19 (= Jeremiah 50:44); as cedars Songs 5:15; collective רכב בחור chosen chariots Exodus 14:7 (E); אישׁ בחור chosen men, warriors Judges 20:15,16,34; 1 Samuel 24:3; 2Chronicles 13:3,17, for which בָּחוּר alone 1 Kings 12:21 2Chronicles 11:1; 25:5; בחורי ישׂראל 1 Samuel 26:2; Psalm 78:31; 2 Samuel 10:9 בחורי בישׂראל ("" 1 Chronicles 19:10 בחור בישׂראל, doubtless the true reading, as 2 Samuel 6:1).

8 test, try (Aramaic = בחן) בְּחַרְתִּיךָ בְּכוּר עֹ֑נִי Isaiah 48:10 I have tested thee in the furnace of affliction ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ges Hi Ew De Che Dr, but chosen ᵑ9 Rab Calv AV. Niph`al נִבְחַר Jeremiah 8:3; Participle נִבְחָר Proverbs 8:10 5t.; — to be chosen.

a. absolute chosen, choice Proverbs 8:10,19; Proverbs 10:20.

b. construct מִן, וְנִבְחַר מות מחיים death will be chosen rather than life Jeremiah 8:3; choicer than Proverbs 16:16; Proverbs 22:1; נבחר ליהוה מזבח choicer (more acceptable) to Yahweh than peace-offering Proverbs 21:3.

Pu`al יְבֻחַר chosen, selected Ecclesiastes 9:4 (יְחֻבַּר Qr).

acceptable, appoint, choose choice, excellent, join, be rather, require

A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select -- acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.

אֶֽבֲחַ֣ר אֶבְחֲרָ֖ה אֶבְחֲרָ֣ה אֶבְחַ֣ר אֶבְחַר־ אֶבְחָרֵ֔הוּ אֶבְחָרֵהוּ֒ אבחר אבחר־ אבחרה אבחרהו בְּחַרְתִּ֑יךָ בְּחַרְתִּ֖יךָ בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם בְּחַרְתֶּ֥ם בְּחַרְתֶּֽם׃ בְּחַר־ בַּחֲר֨וּ בָּ֧חַר בָּֽחֲרוּ֙ בָּֽחַר־ בָּח֖וּר בָּחֳרִ֣י בָּחַ֔רְתִּי בָּחַ֔רְתָּ בָּחַ֖ר בָּחַ֗רְתִּי בָּחַ֙רְתִּי֙ בָּחַ֙רְתָּ֙ בָּחַ֛ר בָּחַ֞ר בָּחַ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתִּי בָּחַ֣רְתָּ בָּחַ֣ר ׀ בָּחַ֤רְתִּי בָּחַ֥רְתִּי בָּחַ֥רְתָּ בָּחַ֧ר בָּחַ֨ר בָּחָ֑רְתִּי בָּחָ֑רְתָּ בָּחָֽרְתִּי׃ בָּחָֽרוּ׃ בָחַ֔רְתִּי בָחַ֣ר בָחַ֣רְתִּֽי בָחַ֣רְתִּי בָחַ֥ר בָחַ֨רְתִּי בָחָ֑רְתִּי בָחָֽרְתִּי׃ בָחָֽר׃ בָחָֽרוּ׃ בֹחֵ֤ר בחור בחר בחר־ בחר׃ בחרו בחרו׃ בחרי בחרת בחרתי בחרתי׃ בחרתיך בחרתם בחרתם׃ הַבֹּחֵ֖ר הבחר וְ֝תִבְחַ֗ר וְיִבְחֲר֣וּ וְנִבְחַ֥ר וַ֭יִּבְחַר וַיִּבְחַ֗ר וַיִּבְחַ֞ר וַיִּבְחַ֡ר וַיִּבְחַ֣ר וַיִּבְחַ֥ר וַיִּבְחַ֨ר וַיִּבְחַר֙ וַיִּבְחַר־ וַיִּבְחָרֶֽךָּ׃ וַתִּבְחַ֣ר וָאֶבְחַ֣ר וָאֶבְחַר֙ וּבָֽחֲר֖וּ וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ וּבָח֥וֹר וּבָחַ֜רְתִּי וּבָחַ֥ר וּבָחֹ֣ר ואבחר ובחור ובחר ובחרו ובחרת ובחרתי ויבחר ויבחר־ ויבחרו ויבחרך׃ ונבחר ותבחר יְחֻבַּ֔ר יִבְחַ֛ר יִבְחַ֜ר יִבְחַ֣ר יִבְחַ֤ר יִבְחַ֥ר יִבְחַ֨ר יִבְחַר֙ יִבְחַר֩ יִבְחַר֮ יִבְחַר־ יִבְחָ֑ר יִבְחָ֔ר יִבְחָֽר׃ יבחר יבחר־ יבחר׃ יחבר נִ֭בְחָר נִבְחֲרָה־ נִבְחָ֖ר נִבְחָ֣ר נִבְחָ֥ר נִבְחָֽר׃ נבחר נבחר׃ נבחרה־ תִּ֝בְחַ֗ר תִּֽבְחַ֣ר תִּבְחַ֥ר תִבְחַ֣ר תבחר ’e·ḇă·ḥar ’eḇ·ḥă·rāh ’eḇ·ḥā·rê·hū ’eḇ·ḥar ’eḇ·ḥar- ’eḇăḥar ’eḇḥar ’eḇḥar- ’eḇḥărāh ’eḇḥārêhū bā·ḥā·rə·tā bā·ḥā·rə·tî ḇā·ḥā·rə·tî ba·ḥă·rū bā·ḥă·rū bā·ḥā·rū ḇā·ḥā·rū bā·ḥar ḇā·ḥar ḇā·ḥār bā·ḥar- bā·ḥar·tā bā·ḥar·tî ḇā·ḥar·tî bā·ḥo·rî bā·ḥūr baChar baChareta baChareti baCharta baCharti baCharu baChur bāḥar ḇāḥar ḇāḥār bāḥar- bāḥārətā bāḥārətî ḇāḥārətî bāḥartā bāḥartî ḇāḥartî baḥărū bāḥărū bāḥārū ḇāḥārū bāḥorî bāḥūr bə·ḥar- bə·ḥar·tem bə·ḥar·tî·ḵā bechar becharTem becharTicha bəḥar- bəḥartem bəḥartîḵā ḇō·ḥêr bochoRi ḇōḥêr evaChar evchar evchaRah evchaRehu hab·bō·ḥêr habboCher habbōḥêr niḇ·ḥă·rāh- niḇ·ḥār niḇḥār niḇḥărāh- nivChar nivcharah Nivchor tiḇ·ḥar ṯiḇ·ḥar tiḇḥar ṯiḇḥar tivChar ū·ḇā·ḥă·rū ū·ḇā·ḥar ū·ḇā·ḥar·tā ū·ḇā·ḥar·tî ū·ḇā·ḥō·wr ū·ḇā·ḥōr ūḇāḥar ūḇāḥartā ūḇāḥartî ūḇāḥărū ūḇāḥōr ūḇāḥōwr uvaChar uvacharTa uvaCharti uvachaRu uvaChor vaChar vaChareti vaCharti vaCharu vaevChar vaiyivchar vaiyivchaReka vattivChar venivChar vetivChar veyivchaRu voCher wā’eḇḥar wā·’eḇ·ḥar wat·tiḇ·ḥar wattiḇḥar way·yiḇ·ḥā·re·kā way·yiḇ·ḥar way·yiḇ·ḥar- wayyiḇḥar wayyiḇḥar- wayyiḇḥārekā wə·niḇ·ḥar wə·ṯiḇ·ḥar wə·yiḇ·ḥă·rū wəniḇḥar wəṯiḇḥar wəyiḇḥărū yə·ḥub·bar yechubBar yəḥubbar yiḇ·ḥar yiḇ·ḥār yiḇ·ḥar- yiḇḥar yiḇḥār yiḇḥar- yivcharInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts