Lexical Summary Bokim: Bokim Original Word: בֹּכִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bochim Plural active participle of bakah; (with the article) the weepers; Bo-kim, a place in Palestine -- Bochim. see HEBREW bakah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originactive participle of bakah Definition "weepers," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Bochim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֹּכִים proper name, of a location near Bethel, אלהַֿבֹּכִים Judges 2:1, בֹּכִים Judges 2:5 (compare Judges 2:4); ᵐ5 Judges 2:1 τὸν Κλαυθμῶνα καὶ ἐπὶ Βαιθηλ; Judges 2:5 Κλαυθμῶνες i.e. בְּכָּ יִם (ᵐ5L Κλαυθμών); — on possible connection with אַלּוֺן בָּכוּת Genesis 35:8 compare Stu & WeBleek's Einl. ed. 4, 183, compare Hexateuch 1889, 215; but perhaps read ביתאל instead of בכים in Genesis 35:1, compare We BuRS20. Topical Lexicon Bochim (Weepers) Biblical Occurrences Bochim is mentioned twice, both in the introductory section of Judges: Judges 2:1 and Judges 2:5. Each appearance is tied to the same incident—the visitation of the Angel of the LORD and Israel’s tearful response. Historical and Geographical Considerations The precise location of Bochim is not identified elsewhere in Scripture. Because the Angel of the LORD “went up from Gilgal to Bochim” (Judges 2:1), some scholars place it in the central hill country near Bethel or Shiloh, both early worship centers. Whatever its exact coordinates, its importance lies not in geography but in the spiritual marker it became for the nation. Narrative Context in Judges Judges opens with partial obedience: tribes settle but leave pockets of Canaanite influence. Judges 2 serves as a theological synopsis of the entire period. Into this unsettled atmosphere the Angel of the LORD appears, reciting the LORD’s covenant faithfulness and confronting Israel’s failure to drive out the nations. The people’s reaction—“they lifted up their voices and wept” (Judges 2:4)—gives the place its name, Bochim, “Weepers.” They then “offered sacrifices there to the LORD” (Judges 2:5). Theological Significance 1. Covenant Accountability: Bochim crystallizes the tension between divine promise (“I will never break My covenant with you,” Judges 2:1) and human infidelity (“but you have disobeyed My voice,” Judges 2:2). The tears acknowledge guilt; the sacrifices appeal to mercy. Liturgical Implications Sacrifice at Bochim precedes the establishment of Israel’s regular worship centers such as Shiloh. It reveals God’s willingness to accept offerings wherever contrite hearts gather. This anticipates later prophetic teaching that “a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Lessons for Ministry Today • Confrontation before comfort: Genuine ministry must sometimes begin with divine rebuke that leads to repentance. Related New Testament Themes • Godly sorrow vs. worldly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10). Bochim illustrates sorrow that must bear fruit in repentance. Summary Bochim stands as an early post-conquest altar of tears, combining divine reproof, human remorse, and sacrificial appeal. The place testifies that the LORD’s covenant faithfulness endures even when His people falter, calling every generation to move beyond momentary emotion into lifelong obedience. Forms and Transliterations בֹּכִ֑ים בכים הַבֹּכִ֑ים הבכים bō·ḵîm boChim bōḵîm hab·bō·ḵîm habboChim habbōḵîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 2:1 HEB: הַגִּלְגָּ֖ל אֶל־ הַבֹּכִ֑ים פ וַיֹּאמֶר֩ NAS: up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, KJV: from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, INT: Gilgal to Bochim said brought Judges 2:5 2 Occurrences |
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