Original Word: בָּחר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: bachar
Pronunciation: bä-khar'
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-khar')
KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require
NASB: chosen, choose, chooses, chose, choice, choicest, desired
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to try
2. (by implication) select

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.

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).

Overview of Usage

The verb בָּחר occurs about 152 times in the Old Testament and consistently carries the idea of deliberate, discerning choice. Whether the subject is the LORD or humankind, בָּחר always implies personal commitment, preference for one option over others, and the expectation that the choice will be honored in life and worship.

Divine Choosing of a Covenant People

From the patriarchal narratives forward, בָּחר frames God’s sovereign election. In Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly grounds Israel’s identity in the LORD’s choice: “The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples of the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). The choice rests in divine love, not national merit (Deuteronomy 7:7-8), and carries covenant obligations (Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18-19). This election sustains Israel through conquest (Joshua 24:22), monarchy (1 Samuel 10:24), exile (Isaiah 41:8-9), and promised restoration (Isaiah 44:1-2).

Selection of Kings and Leaders

בָּחר establishes legitimate authority. The LORD “chose Judah as leader” (Judges 10:16; compare Psalm 78:68) and “chose David His servant” (Psalm 78:70). David’s succession discourse emphasizes divine election: “Of all my father’s house, He chose me to be king over Israel forever” (1 Chronicles 28:4). Solomon is likewise “chosen” to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:6). Prophets, priests, and judges are similarly marked out (Numbers 16:5; Jeremiah 1:5).

Choice of a Worship Center

Deuteronomy introduces a crucial refrain: “the place the LORD your God will choose to put His Name” (Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 14, 18, 21, 26). This culminates in Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:13; 2 Chronicles 6:5-6), safeguarding pure worship and national unity. Post-exilic texts recall this choice to affirm the rebuilt temple’s legitimacy (Haggai 2:23).

Chosen Sacrifices and Offerings

The LORD’s selection governs sacrificial worship: “You shall bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices … in the place which the LORD will choose” (Deuteronomy 12:14). Malachi condemns priests who offer blemished animals, violating God’s chosen standard (Malachi 1:14).

The Elect Servant and Messianic Hope

Isaiah introduces “My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One in whom My soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1; 49:7). The Gospel writers apply this to Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:18), showing continuity between Hebrew בָּחר and the Greek ἐκλέγω. The Servant embodies the faithful Israel, securing redemption for all who believe.

Human Responsibility in Choosing

While God initiates, humans respond. Moses sets life and death before Israel: “Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Joshua echoes the call: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Proverbs warns against choosing crooked paths (Proverbs 1:29-30) and commends choosing wisdom (Proverbs 3:31).

Prophetic Appeals and Warnings

Prophets confront Israel’s misplaced choices—idols, alliances, injustices—contrasting them with God’s righteous selection: “They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations” (Isaiah 66:3). Such choices incur judgment yet invite repentance (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Wisdom Literature and Moral Dimension

Job laments that evildoers “choose not to know His ways” (Job 21:14). Proverbs repeatedly equates choice with character: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3). The Psalms celebrate choosing God’s testimonies (Psalm 119:30).

Patterns across Redemptive History

1. Initiation: God’s sovereign election of individuals, tribes, and nations.
2. Mediation: Chosen leaders and institutions serve covenant purposes.
3. Invitation: God calls humanity to choose obedience and life.
4. Fulfillment: The Chosen Servant secures the blessings promised to the chosen people.
5. Continuation: Believers are “a chosen people” (echoed in 1 Peter 2:9), perpetuating the pattern of grace and response.

Ministry Implications

• Identity: Believers draw assurance from God’s deliberate choice, encouraging holiness and humility.
• Leadership: Churches discern and affirm God’s choice of servants, mirroring biblical patterns of selection.
• Worship: Recognition that God chooses where and how He is honored fosters reverent, Scripture-governed gatherings.
• Evangelism: The biblical tension of divine election and human response compels proclamation—calling all people to “choose life.”
• Discipleship: Teaching on בָּחר shapes decision-making, urging believers to prefer God’s ways over worldly allurements.

By tracing בָּחר from Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament reveals a unified doctrine of divine election partnered with human responsibility, culminating in the Messiah and carried forward in the life of the church.

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