Original Word: בּוּז
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: buwz
Pronunciation: booz
Phonetic Spelling: (booz)
KJV: contemn, despise, X utterly
NASB: despise, despises, despised, utterly despised
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to disrespect

contemn, despise utterly

A primitive root; to disrespect -- contemn, despise, X utterly.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to despise
NASB Translation
despise (5), despised (1), despises (3), scorns* (1), utterly despised (1).

I. [בּוּז] verb despise (Late Hebrew id.) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular בַּז Zechariah 4:10 (compare Kö^{i. 439}); 3 plural בָּ֑זוּ Proverbs 1:7; Imperfect יָבוּז Proverbs 23:9; 3feminine singular וְתָבֻז Proverbs 30:17; 2masculine singular תָּבוּז (Jussive) Proverbs 23:22; plural יָבוּזוּ Proverbs 6:30; Songs 8:7; יָבֻזוּ Songs 8:1; Infinitive absolute בּוֺז Songs 8:7; Participle Proverbs 11:12 2t.; — despise, shew despite toward (Wisdom Literature & poetry) with accusative Proverbs 1:7; with Infinitive + ל Proverbs 30:17; elsewhere followed by ל + noun, Proverbs 6:30; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 13:13; Proverbs 14:21; Proverbs 23:9,22; Songs 8:1,7 (twice in verse); Zechariah 4:10.

Concept overview

בּוּז conveys active contempt—an inward attitude that outwardly dismisses, mocks, or rejects what ought to be honored. The term surfaces chiefly in the Wisdom writings, highlighting the heart posture that stands in stark opposition to fear of the LORD, teachability, and covenant love.

Usage in wisdom literature

Proverbs employs בּוּז eight times, painting a composite portrait of the scoffer.
• Proverbs 1:7 sets the baseline: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” The contrast is deliberate; reverence produces knowledge, whereas contempt blocks it.
• Proverbs 11:12 shows the social fallout: “He who shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding holds his peace.” Treating people with disdain indicates moral deficiency as surely as despising God’s instruction.
• Proverbs 13:13 connects contempt to consequences: “He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command is rewarded.” In God’s moral order, disdain eventually circles back on the scoffer.
• Proverbs 23:9 warns against wasting truth on the contemptuous: “Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Evangelistic and pastoral efforts must take hardness of heart seriously without retreating from truth.

Collectively, these verses show בּוּז as a settled resistance to God, to neighbor, and to discipline. Wisdom literature treats it as the root beneath many sins.

Contrast with fear of the LORD

Every appearance of בּוּז in Proverbs forms an antithesis to the fear of the LORD. The fear of the LORD is receptive, teachable, and worshipful; contempt is closed, unteachable, and self–exalting. Ministry that aims to cultivate wisdom must therefore diagnose and confront contempt at the discipleship level, not merely surface behavior.

Social relationships and community

Contempt erodes the basic fabric of covenant society. Proverbs 14:21 links mercy to blessing—“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.” To disdain the vulnerable is to violate the very character of Yahweh, who champions them. For parents, Proverbs 30:17 is especially sobering: “The eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother—may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.” Familial contempt invites judgment because it fractures the fundamental earthly relationship designed to nurture covenant faith.

Reflections in Song of Songs

Song of Songs moves בּוּז from the realm of folly to the arena of love. The bride longs for unembarrassed intimacy: “Oh, that you were to me like a brother… I would kiss you, and no one would despise me” (Song of Songs 8:1). In verse 7 the lovers affirm that genuine love is inextinguishable: “If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” Here contempt is reserved for any attempt to purchase what God meant to be freely given. The shift is instructive—when covenant love is rightly ordered, contempt is transferred from people to false substitutes that threaten the relationship.

Historical and theological significance

Israel’s wisdom tradition teaches that contempt was not merely a private emotion but a public sin with covenant implications. Prophets later expose similar attitudes toward God’s law and the poor (Isaiah 5:24; Amos 2:7), showing that בּוּז foreshadows national apostasy. Ultimately, the cross answers contempt with self–giving love; Christ “despised the shame” (Hebrews 12:2), transforming contempt into redemptive triumph. In Him, believers are freed both from despising others and from the fear of being despised.

Practical ministry applications

1. Discipleship must identify contempt as a root sin. Whether aimed at Scripture, authority, or neighbor, בּוּז blocks growth until repented of.
2. Counseling should treat scornful listening (Proverbs 23:9) as spiritual rebellion, calling for heart change more than technique.
3. Family ministry ought to highlight the severity of despising parental instruction (Proverbs 30:17), reinforcing honor as a gospel fruit.
4. Evangelism will sometimes “shake the dust” when persistent contempt for the gospel hardens (Matthew 10:14), while still praying for softened hearts.
5. Corporate worship counters contempt by magnifying God’s holiness, fostering the fear of the LORD that births wisdom.

בָּ֣ז בָּֽזוּ׃ בָּז־ בּ֖וֹז בוז בז בז־ בזו׃ וְתָב֪וּז ותבוז יָ֝ב֗וּז יָב֣וּזוּ יָב֥וּזוּ יבוז יבוזו תָּ֝ב֗וּז תבוז bā·zū baz bāz bāz- Bazu bāzū bō·wz bōwz boz tā·ḇūz tāḇūz taVuz vetaVuz wə·ṯā·ḇūz wəṯāḇūz yā·ḇū·zū yā·ḇūz yāḇūz yāḇūzū yaVuz yaVuzuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts