Definition
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Traditional renderings: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
Traditional renderings: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
In the Greek Old Testament
How the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders בָּקַשׁ:
Usage patterns
Occurrences
225 total
- Ezekiel 34:16אֲבַקֵּשׁ֙ · I will seekI will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
- Daniel 1:8וַיְבַקֵּשׁ֙ · So he askedBut Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
- Daniel 1:20בִּקֵּ֥שׁ · consultedIn every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
- Daniel 8:15וָאֲבַקְשָׁ֣ה · and trying toWhile I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.
- Daniel 9:3לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ · to seek HimSo I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
- Hosea 2:7וּבִקְשָׁ֖תַם · she will seek themShe will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’
- Hosea 3:5וּבִקְשׁוּ֙ · and seekAfterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
- Hosea 5:6לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ · to seekThey go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.
- Hosea 5:15וּבִקְשׁ֣וּ · and seekThen I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
- Hosea 7:10בִקְשֻׁ֖הוּ · seek HimIsrael’s arrogance testifies against them, yet they do not return to the LORD their God; despite all this, they do not seek Him.
- Amos 8:12לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ · seekingPeople will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
- Nahum 3:7אֲבַקֵּ֥שׁ · can I findThen all who see you will recoil from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated; who will grieve for her?’ Where can I find comforters for you?”
- Nahum 3:11תְּבַקְשִׁ֥י · seekYou too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy.
- Zephaniah 1:6בִקְשׁ֥וּ · seeking…and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
- Zephaniah 2:3בַּקְּשׁ֤וּ · Seek; בַּקְּשׁוּ־ · Seek; בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ · seekSeek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
- Zechariah 6:7וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ · they were eagerAs the strong horses went out, they were eager to go and patrol the earth; and the LORD said, “Go and patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth.
- Zechariah 8:21וּלְבַקֵּ֖שׁ · and to seek…and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’
- Zechariah 8:22לְבַקֵּ֛שׁ · to seekAnd many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.”
- Zechariah 11:16יְבַקֵּ֔שׁ · seekFor behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.
- Zechariah 12:9אֲבַקֵּ֗שׁ · I will set outSo on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
- Malachi 2:7יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ · and people should seekFor the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
- Malachi 2:15מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ · Because He seeksHas not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
- Malachi 3:1מְבַקְשִׁ֗ים · seek“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.