Lexical Summary beqar: To seek, inquire, investigate Original Word: בְּקַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inquire, make search (Aramaic) corresponding to baqar -- inquire, make search. see HEBREW baqar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to baqar Definition to inquire, seek NASB Translation inquire (1), search (1), search be conducted (1), search has been made (1), search was made (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בְּקַר] verb Pa`el inquire, seek (only Ezra) (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew); — Perfect3masculine plural בַּקַּ֫רוּ Daniel 4:19; Daniel 6:1; Imperfect3masculine singular יְבַקַּר Daniel 4:15; Infinitive לְבַקָּרָה Daniel 7:14; — 1 inquire, with עַל (of thing) concerning Daniel 7:14; with subject indefinite, = passive, Daniel 4:19 search was made, so Daniel 6:1; Daniel 4:15. Hithpa. Imperfect3masculine singular יִתְבַּקַּר Daniel 5:17, impersonal, let search be made. Topical Lexicon Scope of UsageThe noun בְּקַר appears five times, all in the Book of Ezra (Ezra 4:15; 4:19; 5:17; 6:1; 7:14). In each case it denotes an official “search,” “examination,” or “investigation” of royal archives or of conditions in Judah and Jerusalem. The contexts cluster around two building projects: the halted reconstruction of the city (Ezra 4) and the resumed reconstruction of the temple (Ezra 5–6), concluding with Ezra’s own commission (Ezra 7). Administrative Background Persian kings preserved decrees on clay tablets or leather scrolls stored in provincial treasuries (cf. Ezra 6:1 “they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon”). The word בְּקַר highlights the deliberate, archival process by which truth was authenticated in the imperial bureaucracy: • Ezra 4:15 – Adversaries urge Artaxerxes to “search” the records to prove Jerusalem’s history of rebellion. These five occurrences frame the narrative tension between accusation and vindication, underscoring how God uses even pagan administrative protocols to advance His purposes. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Gentile Powers Pagan kings, though unaware of Israel’s God, conduct an archival בְּקַר that ultimately confirms His earlier decree through Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28–45:13). The discovery validates the temple project and protects the covenant community. 2. Truth Verified through Written Witness Scripture consistently affirms the value of written record (Deuteronomy 17:18–19; Luke 1:1–4). The repeated calls to “search” stress that objective documentation can silence false claims (Proverbs 18:17). The narrative thus models careful historical investigation that upholds truth. 3. The Law as the Final Standard In Ezra 7:14 the focus shifts from Persian files to God’s own revelation—Ezra is to “inquire” (בְּקַר) “with regard to the Law of your God.” Archival searches may protect the community, but ultimate authority rests in divine Scripture. Historical Significance The discovery of Cyrus’ decree (Ezra 6) decisively ended local opposition and supplied imperial funds for temple completion. Without that בְּקַר the Second Temple might have remained unfinished, altering post-exilic worship and the later ministry setting of Jesus Christ (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12). Implications for Ministry Today • Due Diligence and Integrity – Leaders are called to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Proper investigation safeguards ministries from rumor and preserves testimony. Related Motifs • The “Book of the Chronicles” motif (Esther 2:23; 6:1) where royal records expose hidden truth. Summary בְּקַר in Ezra portrays rigorous, documented inquiry that God wields to protect His people, confirm His promises, and spotlight the authority of His Law. The term calls modern believers to the same disciplined pursuit of truth—in archives, in history, and above all in Scripture. Forms and Transliterations וּבַקַּ֣רוּ וּבַקַּ֣רוּ ׀ ובקרו יְבַקַּר֩ יִ֠תְבַּקַּר יבקר יתבקר לְבַקָּרָ֥א לבקרא lə·ḇaq·qā·rā ləḇaqqārā levakkaRa ū·ḇaq·qa·rū ūḇaqqarū uvakKaru yə·ḇaq·qar yəḇaqqar yevakKar yiṯ·baq·qar Yitbakkar yiṯbaqqarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:15 HEB: דִּ֡י יְבַקַּר֩ בִּֽסְפַר־ דָּכְרָ֨נַיָּ֜א NAS: so that a search may be made KJV: That search may be made in the book INT: so A search books the record Ezra 4:19 Ezra 5:17 Ezra 6:1 Ezra 7:14 5 Occurrences |
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