Hebrew · Strong's H935
בּוֹא
(BOH)
verb
To go or come, referring to movement into or toward a place, person, or state, with a wide range of applications including physical entry, arrival, or metaphorical coming into being or influence.
The Hebrew verb בּוֹא (BOH) is one of the most frequently occurring verbs in the Old Testament, denoting movement of various kinds. Its primary and most common meaning is "to go in," "to come," or "to enter." This can refer to physical movement, such as entering a house, a land, or a city, or a person approaching another. The breadth of its usage is vast, extending from literal actions to more abstract concepts.
Beyond simple physical locomotion, בּוֹא can describe the arrival of a period of time, such as days or years, or the coming into existence of an event or prophecy. It is also used in a legal sense to refer to coming before a judge, or in a covenantal context to enter into a relationship or agreement. In some instances, it can carry the nuance of bringing something, or causing something to come about, highlighting its causative potential. The rich semantic range of בּוֹא makes it a foundational verb for describing action and interaction in the Hebrew Bible.
The theological significance of בּוֹא often lies in its context. When God commands His people to "come" into the Promised Land, it speaks to divine promise and fulfillment. When individuals "come" into the presence of the Lord, it underscores worship, petition, or judgment. Furthermore, the concept of a king "coming in" and "going out" often signifies his authority and leadership among his people. The versatility of בּוֹא allows it to articulate a vast array of human and divine actions, underscoring both everyday life and profound theological realities.
Common English renderings
- come
- go
- enter
- bring
- befall
Key verses
"in that I command thee this day to love Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that thou mayest live and multiply, and that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in the land whither thou goest in to possess it."
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"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."
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"Thus said Jehovah unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;"
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"And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled."
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"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah."
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"Aaron shall be gathered unto his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah."
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Related words