Original Word: בָּזָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: bazah
Pronunciation: bah-ZAH
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-zaw')
KJV: despise, disdain, contemn(-ptible), + think to scorn, vile person
NASB: despised, despise, despises, careless, contempt, despicable, disdained
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to disesteem

despise, disdain, contemptible, think to scorn, vile person

A primitive root; to disesteem -- despise, disdain, contemn(-ptible), + think to scorn, vile person.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to despise
NASB Translation
careless (1), contempt (1), despicable (1), despise (5), despised (32), despises (2), disdained (1), disdained* (1).

בָּזָה verb despise (Palestinian ᵑ7 בְּזָא, compare raise the head loftily and disdainfully) —

Qal Perfect Numbers 15:31 +; בָּזִיתָ 2 Samuel 12:9; suffix בְּזִתָ֑נִי 2 Samuel 12:10, etc.; Imperfect וַיִּ֫בֶז Genesis 25:34; Esther 3:6; suffix וַיִּבְזֵהוּ 1 Samuel 17:42; 3feminine singular וַתִּכֶז 2 Samuel 6:16; 1 Chronicles 15:29; 2masculine singular תִּבְזֶה Psalm 51:19; Psalm 73:20; וַיִּבְזוּ Nehemiah 2:19; וַיִּבְזֻהוּ 1 Samuel 10:27; Infinitive construct בְּזֹה Isaiah 49:7 (Di Ew^{§ 150 b}); Participle active בּוֺזֶה Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 19:16; בּוֺזֵהוּ Proverbs 14:2; בּוֺזִים2Chronicles 36:16; בּוֺזֵי Malachi 1:6; suffix בֹּזַי 1 Samuel 2:30; passive בָּזוּי Jeremiah 49:15 +; feminine בְּזוּיָה Ecclesiastes 9:16; — despise, regard with contempt, followed by accusative of thing, birthright Genesis 25:34 (J); words of ׳י Numbers 15:31 (P; not elsewhere in Hexateuch); 2 Samuel 12:9 compare 2 Chronicles 36:16; name of ׳י Malachi 1:6 (twice in verse) (compare below); oath (אָלָה) Ezekiel 16:59; Ezekiel 17:16,18,19; holy things Ezekiel 22:8; one's own ways Proverbs 19:16 (i.e. is careless of them, lives recklessly, opposed to שֹׁמֵר נַפְשׁוֺ, compare נֹצֵר דַּרְכּוֺ Proverbs 16:17); distress of the distressed Psalm 22:25 ("" שִׁקֵּץ, subject ׳י); prayer, subject id. Psalm 102:18; broken & contrite heart Psalm 51:9 (with לֹא), compare on other hand Psalm 73:20; followed by accusative of person Saul 1 Samuel 10:27, David 1 Samuel 17:42 compare Proverbs 15:20, ׳י 1 Samuel 2:30; 2 Samuel 12:10; Proverbs 14:2, his prisoners Psalm 69:34 (subject ׳י); followed by לְ, וַתִּבֶז לוֺ בְּלִבָּהּ 2 Samuel 6:16 = 1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Kings 19:21 = Isaiah 37:22; followed by עַל person Nehemiah 2:19; followed by Infinitive וַיִּבֶז בְּעֵינָיו לִשְׁלֹחַ יָד Esther 3:6; note especially בְּזֹה נֶפֶשׁ Isaiah 49:7 a despising of soul, i.e. one despised from the soul, thoroughly despised; on otherviews see Che Di. Participle passive despised, of person construct בְּזוּי עָם despised of people ("" חֶרְמַּת אָדָם) Psalm 22:7, compare בָּזוּי בָאָדָם Jeremiah 49:15 also Obadiah 2; of wisdom Ecclesiastes 9:16.

Niph`al Participle נִבְזֶה Psalm 15:4 +; feminine נִבְזָה 1 Samuel 15:9 (so read for נמבזָה compare We Dr); plural נִבְזִים Malachi 2:9; —

1 despised Psalm 15:4; Psalm 119:141; Isaiah 53:3 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 22:28.

2 vile, worthless 1 Samuel 15:9.

3 despicable, contemptible Malachi 1:7 said of table of ׳י, compare Malachi 1:12; Malachi 2:9; Daniel 11:21 as substantive of Antiochus Epiph.

Hiph`il Infinitive לְהַבְזוֺת בַּעְלֵיהֶן Esther 1:17 so as to cause to despise their lords (cause their lords to be despised).

Definition and Overview

The verb בָּזָה (bazah) conveys the idea of treating someone or something as worthless, lightly esteeming, holding in contempt, or despising. Its forty-plus appearances trace a moral fault line running through Israel’s history: to despise God, His word, His servants, or one’s neighbor is to invite judgment; yet God Himself does not despise the lowly and contrite, and the promised Messiah endures mankind’s contempt to accomplish redemption.

Earliest Canonical Uses (Torah)

• Numbers 15:31 sets the tone for the entire Old Testament: “Because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His command, that person must be cut off” (contrast Deuteronomy 32:15, where Israel “lightly esteemed” the Rock who saved her). Under the covenant, contempt for divine revelation merits covenant curses.

Historical Narratives

• Eli’s house (1 Samuel 2:30) and David (2 Samuel 12:9-10) illustrate that even leaders fall under the same standard: “those who despise Me will be disdained.” David’s repentance shows that mercy is still available, but only after contempt is openly confessed (Psalm 51).
• Foreign arrogance is likewise exposed. Sennacherib learns that “the virgin daughter of Zion despises you” (2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 37:22). God reverses contempt, shaming the proud who belittle His people.

Poetic and Wisdom Literature

• Psalms oscillate between human contempt and divine compassion. The righteous man “despises a vile man” (Psalm 15:4) yet trusts that God “has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted” (Psalm 22:24). The contrite heart He “will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
• Proverbs exposes everyday manifestations: fools despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 23:9), sons despise parental instruction (15:5, 20; 30:17), and the one who despises his neighbor sins (14:21). Such verses make בָּזָה a perennial discipleship text—calling believers to honor what God honors.

Prophetic Literature and Messianic Focus

• The Prophets broaden the horizon: nations that despise Israel become “small among the nations” (Obadiah 1:2; Jeremiah 49:15). Priests who despise God’s name pollute worship (Malachi 1:6-7).
• Isaiah 53:3 is climactic: “He was despised and rejected by men.” The Servant willingly bears contempt, fulfilling the pattern in which the Holy One receives human scorn yet turns it into salvation. Isaiah 49:7 anticipates universal homage to the One who was first “despised and abhorred by the nation.”

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Accountability—Contempt for God’s word severs fellowship (Numbers 15:31; 2 Samuel 12:9).
2. Reversal of Contempt—God shames the proud but elevates the humble (1 Samuel 2:30; Psalm 51:17).
3. Social Ethics—Despising neighbor, poor, or parental authority violates the law of love (Proverbs 14:21; 17:5).
4. Messianic Suffering and Glory—The Messiah absorbs mankind’s contempt (Isaiah 53:3), then receives universal honor, proving Scripture’s coherence.
5. Divine Compassion—Though humans despise, God refuses to despise the brokenhearted (Psalm 102:17; 147:3), modeling pastoral care.

Ministry Significance

• Preaching: בָּזָה warns congregations against casual attitudes toward Scripture, worship, and obedience.
• Counseling: Psalm 51:17 and Isaiah 53 offer comfort to those ashamed or rejected—God embraces the despised.
• Discipleship: Proverbs supplies concrete applications—honor parents, cherish instruction, respect the needy.
• Mission: Isaiah 49:7 encourages gospel proclamation; the once-despised Servant is now the hope of the nations.

Summary

בָּזָה exposes the heart: whatever or whomever we treat as insignificant reveals our theology. Scripture’s consistent witness—from covenant law to prophetic promise—insists that despising God, His word, or His image-bearers incurs judgment, while humble reverence attracts grace. In Jesus Christ the pattern culminates, for He was “despised and rejected” so that all who repent might never be despised by God.

בְּזוּיָ֔ה בְזִתָ֔נִי בָ֝זָ֗ה בָּז֖וּי בָּז֥וּי בָּזִ֑ית בָּזִ֣יתָ ׀ בָּזִ֥ית בָּזָ֔ה בָּזָ֨ה בָּזָה֙ בָזִ֖ינוּ בָזָ֨ה בָזָֽה׃ בּוֹזֵ֖ה בּוֹזֵ֣י בּוֹזֵֽהוּ׃ בּוֹזֶ֥ה בוזה בוזהו׃ בוזי בזה בזה׃ בזוי בזויה בזינו בזית בזתני וְנִבְזֶ֑ה וַיִּ֣בֶז וַיִּ֥בֶז וַיִּבְז֖וּ וַיִּבְזֵ֑הוּ וַיִּבְזֻ֕הוּ וַתִּ֥בֶז וּבְז֥וּי וּבָזָ֥ה וּבֹזַ֥י וּבוֹזִ֣ים ובוזים ובזה ובזוי ובזי ויבז ויבזהו ויבזו ונבזה ותבז לְהַבְז֥וֹת להבזות נְמִבְזָ֥ה נִבְזִ֥ים נִבְזֶ֔ה נִבְזֶ֖ה נִבְזֶ֜ה נִבְזֶ֤ה ׀ נִבְזֶ֥ה נִבְזֶה֙ נבזה נבזים נמבזה תִּבְזֶֽה׃ תִבְזֶֽה׃ תבזה׃ bā·zāh ḇā·zāh ḇā·zî·nū bā·zî·ṯā bā·zîṯ bā·zui baZah bāzāh ḇāzāh ḇāzînū baZit bāzîṯ baZita bāzîṯā baZui bāzui ḇə·zi·ṯā·nî bə·zū·yāh ḇəziṯānî bezuYah bəzūyāh bō·w·zê bō·w·zê·hū bō·w·zeh bō·w·zêh bōwzê bōwzeh bōwzêh bōwzêhū boZeh boZehu boZei lə·haḇ·zō·wṯ ləhaḇzōwṯ lehavZot nə·miḇ·zāh nəmiḇzāh nemivZah niḇ·zeh niḇ·zîm niḇzeh niḇzîm nivZeh nivZim tiḇ·zeh ṯiḇ·zeh tiḇzeh ṯiḇzeh tivZeh ū·ḇā·zāh ū·ḇə·zui ū·ḇō·w·zîm ū·ḇō·zay ūḇāzāh ūḇəzui ūḇōwzîm ūḇōzay uvaZah uveZui uvoZai uvoZim vaiYivez vaiyivZehu vaiyivZu vaiyivZuhu vatTivez vaZah vaZinu venivZeh veziTani wat·ti·ḇez wattiḇez way·yi·ḇez way·yiḇ·zê·hū way·yiḇ·zū way·yiḇ·zu·hū wayyiḇez wayyiḇzêhū wayyiḇzū wayyiḇzuhū wə·niḇ·zeh wəniḇzehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts