Lexical Summary bazoh or bezoh: Contempt, scorn, despising Original Word: בָּזֹה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance despise From bazah; scorned -- despise. see HEBREW bazah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origininfinitive construct of bazah Definition to despise NASB Translation despised (1). Topical Lexicon Overview בָּזֹה appears once in the Hebrew canon, embedded in Isaiah’s fourth Servant oracle. Though a solitary occurrence, the verb radiates a theme that threads through the whole of redemptive history: the Servant is “despised,” yet ultimately vindicated and exalted. Biblical Usage Isaiah 49:7: “This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, the Servant of rulers: ‘Kings will see and rise, princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel— who has chosen You.’ ” The context paints a paradox. The same Servant whom nations scorn will draw their homage. The word marks the Servant’s rejection both by His own covenant people (“the nation”) and by the global powers (“rulers”), setting the stage for a reversal when those very powers honor Him. Historical Context Isaiah’s audience was a people facing exile and humiliation. The prophet’s vision of a rejected yet triumphant Servant answered Israel’s despair: God’s plan was not derailed by their disgrace. Instead, their low estate only magnified the coming glory when the Servant would restore Jacob and become “a light for the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). Theological Significance 1. Rejection and Election: The Servant’s being “despised” consolidates two biblical motifs—human scorn and divine choice. While men repudiate Him, the Lord calls Him “chosen” and “faithful.” Messianic Fulfillment The Gospels record how Jesus of Nazareth fulfills the despised-yet-chosen pattern. The New Testament applies Isaiah’s Servant imagery to Christ’s passion (Matthew 12:18-21; Acts 13:47) and exaltation (Revelation 1:5). Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Encouragement in Reproach: Believers maligned for allegiance to Christ share in the Servant’s account (Hebrews 13:13). Related Biblical Parallels Though other Hebrew terms carry the sense of “despised,” the theme surfaces in: Together they echo and amplify the solitary בָּזֹה of Isaiah 49:7. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 960 distills a profound paradox: the Servant’s rejection is the very avenue of His universal reign. For the Church, Isaiah 49:7 is both mirror and mandate—expecting contempt, proclaiming Christ, and anticipating the day when every knee will rise in recognition of the once-despised Servant-King. Forms and Transliterations לִבְזֹה־ לבזה־ liḇ·zōh- liḇzōh- livzohLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 49:7 HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל קְדוֹשׁ֗וֹ לִבְזֹה־ נֶ֜פֶשׁ לִמְתָ֤עֵֽב NAS: One, To the despised One, To the One abhorred KJV: to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation INT: of Israel Holy to the despised man abhorred 1 Occurrence |
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