Lexical Summary
barach: To flee, to escape, to run away
Original Word:בָּרַח
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:barach
Pronunciation:baw-rakh'
Phonetic Spelling:(baw-rakh')
KJV: chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot
NASB:fled, flee, fleeing, flees, pass through, put to flight, ran away
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to bolt
2. (figuratively) to flee suddenly
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
chase away; drive away, fain, flee away, put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot
A primitive root; to bolt, i.e. Figuratively, to flee suddenly -- chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto go through, flee
NASB Translationdrives his away (1), drove him away (1), fled (34), flee (11), flee away (1), fleeing (4), flees (2), gone away (1), hurry (1), pass through (2), put to flight (2), ran away (2), surely try to flee (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(compare German
durchgehen (Arabic
go away, withdraw, flee) —
PerfectGenesis 31:22 9t.,Job 9:25,Isaiah 22:3;ImperfectJob 20:24,Job 27:22;Nehemiah 6:11,Genesis 31:21 13t.; 3 feminine singularGenesis 16:6,Psalm 139:7,Jeremiah 52:7,2 Samuel 4:3 4t.,2 Samuel 15:14;ImperativeGenesis 27:43 3t.,Isaiah 48:20;Infinitive absoluteJob 27:22;construct1 Samuel 23:6 3t.,Jonah 1:3; suffix1 Kings 2:7,Genesis 31:5,Genesis 35:7 2t.; —
go orpass though, of bar,Exodus 36:33 (P).
fleeGenesis 31:20;Genesis 21:21;Genesis 31:22 (E)Exodus 14:5 (J)Judges 9:21;1 Samuel 19:12,18;1 Samuel 22:17;2 Samuel 13:34,37,38 (strike out Dr compare We)2 Samuel 15:14;Isaiah 22:3;Jeremiah 4:29;Jeremiah 26:21;Jeremiah 39:4;Jeremiah 52:7;Nehemiah 6:11; figurative of days fleeing awayJob 9:25; of man, like a shadowJob 14:2; withflee from a place1 Samuel 20:1;2 Samuel 19:10; 9+ person)Isaiah 48:20, a weaponJob 20:24; a person, with1 Kings 11:23, usually withGenesis 16:6,8;Genesis 31:27;Genesis 35:1,7;Exodus 2:15 (all J E)Judges 11:3;2 Samuel 21:11;1 Kings 2:7;1 Kings 12:2 2Chronicles 10:2;Psalm 3:1;Psalm 57:1 (titles)Psalm 139:7;Jonah 1:10; figurativeJob 27:22;flee to, with accusative place1 Samuel 27:4;1 Kings 11:40;Hosea 12:13; with place &Nehemiah 13:10; with place & locativeJonah 1:3;Jonah 4:2;2 Samuel 4:3; with place &Numbers 24:11;Amos 7:12; with & person1 Samuel 23:6;Genesis 27:43 (J)1 Kings 2:39;1 Kings 11:40; & person1 Samuel 22:20;flee, followed by infinitive1 Kings 11:17;Daniel 10:7.
flee =hasten, come quicklySongs 8:14.
Perfect1 Chronicles 8:13;ImperfectProverbs 19:26; suffixJob 41:20,Nehemiah 13:28,1 Chronicles 12:15;ParticipleExodus 26:28; —
pass through literalExodus 26:28 (P) comparecause to flee, put to flight, animalJob 41:20, men1 Chronicles 8:18;1 Chronicles 12:16;drive awayProverbs 19:16;Nehemiah 13:28 (followed by ).
Topical Lexicon
Thematic OverviewThe verb בָּרַח (Strong’s Hebrew 1272) portrays rapid withdrawal in the face of real or perceived peril. Its approximately sixty-five appearances span patriarchal stories, the Exodus, conquest reports, royal chronicles, wisdom poetry, and the prophets. In every period the word exposes the tension between human fear and divine sovereignty: people flee, but the Lord rules over every flight.
Patterns of Human Fear and Flight
1. Family Conflict: Jacob’s double escape—from Esau (Genesis 27:43) and later from Laban (Genesis 31:20-27)—highlights flight as a survival instinct among the patriarchs.
2. Moral Integrity: Joseph “escaped and ran outside” when cornered by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:12). His flight exemplifies godly refusal rather than cowardice.
3. Political Persecution: David repeatedly “fled” from Saul (1 Samuel 19:10; 21:10) and later from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14), demonstrating that anointed leaders may endure seasons of exile before enthronement.
4. Military Collapse: Israel and her enemies alternately break ranks. After Korah’s judgment, the congregation “fled” lest the earth swallow them (Numbers 16:34). In Philistine battles, “every man fled to his own tent” (1 Samuel 4:10). Gideon’s three-hundred saw Midian “flee” in panic (Judges 7:21).
5. Civic Calamity: When Jerusalem fell, Zedekiah’s soldiers abandoned their posts and “fled by night” (Jeremiah 39:4), signaling covenant breach and divine discipline.
Divine Intervention and Protection
Fleeing never thwarts the Lord’s purposes. Pharaoh’s charioteers cried, “Let us flee…for the LORD is fighting for them” (Exodus 14:25). In the Psalms, “those who hate Him flee His presence” (Psalm 68:1). The righteous find refuge because the Lord turns the tables on oppressors, forcing them into the same frantic retreat they intended for God’s people.
Fleeing as a Divine Judgment
Prophets often forecast a day when no strategy can secure escape. “Escape will elude the swift” (Amos 2:14); “Though they dig into Sheol, from there My hand will take them” (Amos 9:2-4). Judgment makes every avenue of flight futile unless accompanied by repentance. The collapse of Babylon illustrates this tension: “Flee from Babylon; each of you, save your life” (Jeremiah 51:6). Judgment on the empire doubles as mercy toward the remnant who heed the summons.
Prophetic and Eschatological Resonance
Zechariah’s call, “Flee from the land of the north” (Zechariah 2:6), anticipates end-time separation from worldly systems. Isaiah similarly asks, “Where will you run for help?” (Isaiah 10:3), pressing hearers toward trust in the coming Messiah rather than frantic self-rescue. The prophetic pattern culminates in the New Testament exhortation, “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14), preserving the moral thrust of בָּרַח across covenants.
Examples in Historical Narratives
• Patriarchal Era:Genesis 35:1 records God’s command to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there,” effectively ending his season of running and initiating renewal.
• Exodus–Conquest: While Moses “fled from Pharaoh” (Exodus 2:15), forty years later Egypt’s host fled from the Lord. Rahab’s spies hid three days until the pursuers “searched all along the road without finding them” (Joshua 2:22), a tactical pause that ensured Israel’s entry into the land.
• United Monarchy: David’s exiles produce many psalm headings (e.g.,Psalm 3; 34; 56) that frame personal lament during flight yet reaffirm God’s faithfulness.
• Divided Kingdoms: Elijah outran Ahab’s chariot yet later “fled for his life” (1 Kings 19:3), exhibiting the prophet’s humanity within miraculous ministry.
Wisdom Literature and Spiritual Application
Job speaks of a violent storm that “hurls itself against him…and he flees” (Job 27:22), picturing the inescapability of divine governance. Proverbs warns that the wicked “flee though no one pursues” (Proverbs 28:1), contrasting guilty conscience with the courage of the righteous. These maxims convert historical episodes into perennial truths for discipleship.
Theological and Ministry Implications
1. Sovereign Control: Human flight, whether righteous or sinful, always unfolds under God’s jurisdiction. Pastors can reassure believers that no circumstance forces them beyond divine reach.
2. Call to Purity: Joseph’s model sanctions literal withdrawal from temptation. Church leaders should encourage immediate, decisive action against moral compromise.
3. Discernment between Fear and Faith: David’s withdrawals were strategic, not unbelieving. Ministry often requires retreat for regrouping, prayer, and preservation of the flock (Matthew 10:23 parallels).
4. Separation from Judgment: Jeremiah’s and Zechariah’s calls to flee highlight a pastoral duty to warn congregations against entanglement with systems marked for destruction.
Christological and New Covenant Perspective
Although בָּרַח never describes Jesus Himself, the Gospels record moments in which crowds sought to seize Him but “He passed through their midst” (Luke 4:30), echoing sovereign escape motifs. At Olivet He instructs disciples to “flee to the mountains” when desolation nears (Matthew 24:16), combining prudent flight with prophetic expectation. Believers await the day when flight ceases because evil itself is banished (Revelation 21:1-4).
Pastoral Reflections
The recurring pulse of בָּרַח reminds modern readers that life in a fallen world includes seasons of retreat. Whether believers are escaping temptation, persecution, or impending judgment on a culture, Scripture offers precedent, promises, and principles for every flight. The faithful may run, but they never run alone.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶבְרָֽח׃ אברח׃ בְּ֝בָרְח֗וֹ בְּבָרְח֖וֹ בְּבָרְח֥וֹ בְּבָרְחֲךָ֔ בְּבָרְחִ֕י בְּרַ֣ח ׀ בְּרַח־ בִּ֠בְרֹחַ בִּרְח֣וּ בָּֽ֝רְח֗וּ בָּר֥וֹחַ בָּרַ֔ח בָּרַ֖ח בָּרַ֗ח בָּרַ֜ח בָּרַ֥ח בָּרָֽחוּ׃ בָרַ֖ח בָרַ֥ח בֹּרַ֙חַת֙ בֹּרַֽחַת׃ בֹרֵ֔חַ בֹרֵ֖חַ בֹרֵ֣חַ בברח בברחו בברחי בברחך ברוח ברח ברח־ ברחו ברחו׃ ברחת ברחת׃ הִבְרִ֖יחוּ הבריחו וְנִבְרָ֔חָה וַֽ֠יִּבְרְחוּ וַֽיִּבְרְח֖וּ וַיִּבְרְח֤וּ וַיִּבְרְח֥וּ וַיִּבְרְח֧וּ וַיִּבְרַ֖ח וַיִּבְרַ֣ח וַיִּבְרַ֤ח וַיִּבְרַ֥ח וַיַּבְרִ֙יחוּ֙ וַתִּבְרַ֖ח וָאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ ואבריחהו ויברח ויברחו ויבריחו ונברחה ותברח יִ֭בְרַח יִבְרְחוּ֩ יִבְרָ֔ח יִבְרָֽח׃ יַבְרִ֣יחַ יַבְרִיחֶ֥נּוּ יברח יברח׃ יברחו יבריח יבריחנו לִבְרֹ֔חַ לִבְרֹ֙חַ֙ לִבְרֹ֣חַ לברח מַבְרִ֕חַ מברח ’eḇ·rāḥ ’eḇrāḥ bā·rā·ḥū bā·raḥ ḇā·raḥ bā·rə·ḥū bā·rō·w·aḥ baRach baRachu bāraḥ ḇāraḥ bārāḥū bareChu bārəḥū baRoach bārōwaḥ bə·ḇā·rə·ḥă·ḵā bə·ḇā·rə·ḥî bə·ḇā·rə·ḥōw bə·raḥ bə·raḥ- bəḇārəḥăḵā bəḇārəḥî bəḇārəḥōw berach bəraḥ bəraḥ- bevarechaCha bevareChi bevareCho biḇ·rō·aḥ biḇrōaḥ bir·ḥū birChu birḥū Bivroach bō·ra·ḥaṯ ḇō·rê·aḥ boRachat bōraḥaṯ ḇōrêaḥ evRach hiḇ·rî·ḥū hiḇrîḥū hivRichu liḇ·rō·aḥ liḇrōaḥ livRoach maḇ·ri·aḥ maḇriaḥ mavRiach vaavriChehu vaiyavRichu vaiyivRach vaiyivreChu vaRach vattivRach venivRachah voReach wā’aḇrîḥêhū wā·’aḇ·rî·ḥê·hū wat·tiḇ·raḥ wattiḇraḥ way·yaḇ·rî·ḥū way·yiḇ·raḥ way·yiḇ·rə·ḥū wayyaḇrîḥū wayyiḇraḥ wayyiḇrəḥū wə·niḇ·rā·ḥāh wəniḇrāḥāh yaḇ·rî·aḥ yaḇ·rî·ḥen·nū yaḇrîaḥ yaḇrîḥennū yavRiach yavriChennu yiḇ·raḥ yiḇ·rāḥ yiḇ·rə·ḥū yiḇraḥ yiḇrāḥ yiḇrəḥū yivRach yivreChu
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