Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
בוז בזה בזז
The three forms בוז (bwz), בזה (bzh), and בזז (bzz) are closely related in form and their meanings overlap somewhat as well.
בוז
The Hebrew root בוז (buz) means to despise or hold as insignificant, and its twenty-four instances appear most often in the wisdom literature ("Fools buz wisdom and instruction" - Proverbs 1:7). This verb yields two derivatives:
- The masculine noun בוז (buz), meaning contempt. The meaning of this noun is illustrated by Proverbs 18:3 and Psalm 31:18, but possibly the most remarkable usage is God pouring out buz upon nobles (Psalm 107:40).
- The feminine equivalent בוזה (buza), also meaning contempt (Nehemiah 3:26 only).
בזה
The verb בזה (baza) means to despise or disdain, and it's the opposite of כבד (kabed), literally meaning to make heavy: to honor. Our verb בזה (baza) therefore seems to literally mean to make light of, to undervalue, to dishonor (Genesis 25:34, Numbers 15:31, 2 Chronicles 36:16).
This verb's sole derivative is the masculine noun בזיון (bizzayon), meaning contempt (Esther 1:18 only).
בזז
The verb בזז (bazaz) means to plunder or take as spoil (Genesis 34:27, Numbers 31:9, Isaiah 11:14). Taking spoils occurred as a result of a military victory, but in the Bible victory and the taking of spoils are considered effects of obedience to God.
This verb's derivatives are:
- The masculine noun בז (baz), meaning spoil or booty (Deuteronomy 1:39, Isaiah 10:6, Ezekiel 36:4).
- The feminine noun בזה (bizza), also meaning spoil or booty (2 Chronicles 28:14, Ezra 9:7).