Original Word: בְּאָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: b'ah
Pronunciation: bee-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (be-aw')
KJV: entry
NASB: entrance
Word Origin: [from H935 (בּוֹא - came)]

1. an entrance to a building

entry

From bow'; an entrance to a building -- entry.

see HEBREW bow'

Word Origin
from bo
Definition
an entrance, entry
NASB Translation
entrance (1).

בִּאָה noun feminine entrance, entry, בַּבִּאָה Ezekiel 8:5, i.e. of temple (but strike out B Co).

Canonical Context

בְּאָה appears once, within the prophet Ezekiel’s description of an overwhelming, multisensory encounter with the glory of the LORD in the Jerusalem Temple (Ezekiel 8:5). The term functions adverbially, marking the precise interior location “toward the north” where an idolatrous image had been set up.

Historical Background

Ezekiel prophesies from exile in Babylon during the sixth century B.C. (circa 592 B.C. for chapter 8). Though physically far from Jerusalem, he is transported “in visions of God” (Ezekiel 8:3) to witness the spiritual condition of the Temple immediately before the final Babylonian assault of 586 B.C. The single use of בְּאָה underscores how exact and localized Israel’s apostasy had become; defilement was not merely general but had penetrated the very heart of worship.

Literary Function in Ezekiel 8:5

“Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, now lift up your eyes toward the north.’ So I looked, and to the north at the entrance of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy.” (Berean Standard Bible)

The word focuses the reader’s gaze from panoramic vision to an intrusive object “within” the gate area. It is a narrative pivot: Ezekiel’s earlier transport (verses 1-4) gives way to a series of escalating abominations (verses 6-18). בְּאָה signals the shift from a broad divine perspective to a pointed indictment.

Theological Implications

1. Holiness of Place: The LORD’s presence sanctifies space; violating that sanctity, even in one interior niche, invites judgment (cf. Ezekiel 9:6).
2. Precision of Divine Knowledge: The singular adverb emphasizes God’s detailed awareness. Apostasy cannot hide in a corner; the “idol of jealousy” is exposed.
3. Covenant Accountability: The Temple was to embody exclusivity of worship (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). The intrusion “within” its precincts revokes protection and ushers in the departure of the glory (Ezekiel 10:18-19).

Prophetic Symbolism

בְּאָה functions symbolically as a hinge between God’s patience and His impending wrath. The unseen idol becomes visible; so too the concealed sin becomes prosecutable. The text foreshadows the New Covenant principle that defilement of God’s dwelling—now the believer’s body and the corporate church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)—provokes disciplined cleansing.

Ministry Applications

• Spiritual Inspection: Leaders must examine what has crept “within” the local fellowship, ensuring doctrinal purity and exclusive devotion to Christ.
• Worship Integrity: Like Ezekiel, worshippers should be sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting to confront hidden idolatry rather than settle for outward ceremony.
• Hope of Restoration: Though judgment followed, Ezekiel’s later visions culminate in a cleansed Temple and returning glory (Ezekiel 43:1-5). Exposure of inner corruption is a precursor to renewal.

Summary

The solitary use of בְּאָה powerfully concentrates attention on interior space defiled by idolatry. In Ezekiel’s vision, it exposes treachery, validates divine omniscience, and prepares the way for both judgment and ultimate restoration, calling every generation to guard the sanctity of worship “within” the dwelling place of God.

בַּבִּאָֽה׃ בבאה׃ bab·bi·’āh babbi’āh babbiAhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts