בָּעַר

From the study of Isaiah 6:13

Range of meaning

Burn, kindle, consume. Used of animals grazing a field bare (Exod 22:5). Also used of clearing something out completely ("purge the evil from your midst", Deut 13:5).

Against the English

Modern versions say "burned" (ESV, NASB, BSB) or "laid waste" (NIV). The KJV says "eaten", following the grazing sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isa 5:5 uses almost the same phrase, "it will be for bāʿēr", for God's vineyard when he removes its hedge: it is grazed bare or burned off. In Isa 1:31 and 9:18 fire images describe judgment on the people.

From the study of Isaiah 43:2

Range of meaning

To burn, blaze, consume. It is also used for destroying or removing something completely ("burn out" evil). With the preposition bə- ("in, among") it describes fire breaking out among people.

Against the English

KJV "kindle upon thee", ESV "consume", NIV "set you ablaze" and WEB "scorch" all keep the burning. None can show the English reader that the identical phrase appeared in the verse just before, in a judgment.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah 42:25: God poured out his anger on Israel, "it set him on fire all around… and it burned in him (wattibʿar-bô), yet he did not take it to heart." Numbers 11:1, 3 (Taberah): "the fire of the LORD burned among them (wattibʿar-bām)". Isaiah 10:17: "the Holy One [will become] a flame (lehābâ), and it will burn (ûbāʿărâ)" Assyria's thorns.

From the study of 2 Samuel 4:11

Range of meaning

Basic sense 'burn, consume'. In this intensive form it also means 'clear out, purge, sweep away, destroy', used for removing something completely.

Against the English

BSB 'remove' and KJV 'take you away' are far too mild and could suggest exile. WEB and NIV 'rid the earth of you' are better. ESV's 'destroy' states the outcome.

How it drifted

'Remove' has become an administrative word, as in being removed from a post. Its strength here depends on knowing the Hebrew legal formula behind it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy's refrain is 'you shall purge the evil from your midst' (13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21-24; 24:7). Deuteronomy 19:13 and 21:9 apply the verb to purging innocent blood. In 1 Kings 14:10 and 21:21 God says he will 'consume/sweep away' a royal house, with 14:10 picturing dung being burned. The LXX here has exolethreuō, 'destroy utterly'.