Lexical Summary baqqarah: Inquiry, investigation Original Word: בַּקָּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance seek out Intensive from baqar; a looking after -- seek out. see HEBREW baqar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baqar Definition a seeking NASB Translation cares (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בַּקָּרָה] verbal noun feminine a seeking, כְּבַקָּרַת רֹעֶה עֶדְרוֺ Ezekiel 34:12 like a shepherd's seeking his flock. Topical Lexicon Overview בַּקָּרָה describes an intentional, diligent searching. Used once, in Ezekiel 34:12, it pictures the shepherd who carefully inspects his scattered flock in order to gather and rescue every sheep. Scriptural Usage Ezekiel 34:12: “As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so will I look for My sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” Here the verb conveys more than a casual glance; it is the purposeful examination that precedes deliverance. God Himself pledges to do what negligent shepherd-leaders failed to do—to search until every lost one is found. Prophetic and Theological Significance 1. Divine Initiative. The term underscores that salvation is God-initiated. The sheep do not find the shepherd; the shepherd searches for them (compare Luke 19:10). Historical Background Ezekiel prophesied during Judah’s exile. Political and spiritual leaders (“shepherds,” Ezekiel 34:1-10) had exploited the flock, leaving it scattered. Against this backdrop the singular use of בַּקָּרָה announces God’s resolve to reverse the catastrophe of 586 B.C., gather the diaspora, and restore the land. Intertextual Connections and Foreshadowing • Psalm 119:176, “I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,” voices the same longing answered in Ezekiel 34. Ministerial and Devotional Implications 1. Pastoral Model. Church leaders are to shepherd after the divine pattern—proactive, sacrificial, exhaustive in their concern (Acts 20:28). In its lone appearance, בַּקָּרָה captures the relentless love of God—a love that inspects, seeks, and rescues until every sheep is safely gathered. Forms and Transliterations כְּבַקָּרַת֩ כבקרת kə·ḇaq·qā·raṯ kəḇaqqāraṯ kevakkaRatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 34:12 HEB: כְּבַקָּרַת֩ רֹעֶ֨ה עֶדְר֜וֹ NAS: As a shepherd cares for his herd KJV: As a shepherd seeketh out his flock INT: cares A shepherd his herd 1 Occurrence |
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