Strong’s Hebrew • Verb (Qal / Niphal)

H1254: bara

בָּרָא

Pronounced: /baw-raw/ • A primitive root meaning to create sovereignly

Short Definition: To create (exclusively of divine creation ex nihilo)

Exhaustive Lexicon Definition & Theological Meaning

In the Qal stem, bara is used exclusively with God (Elohim) as its subject, denoting effortless, sovereign creation out of nothing (ex nihilo) and bringing forth something brand-new.

Brown-Driver-Briggs / Thayer Exegesis:

BDB: To shape, fashion, create; always of divine activity creating cosmic realms and new spiritual realities.

KJV Translation Usage

create (42x), creator (3x), choose (2x)

Total Biblical Occurrences

54 Times

Asante Twi Equivalent

Bɔ (Onyankopɔn Adebɔ)

Key Biblical Occurrences

H1254 (בָּרָא) appears in these foundational scripture passages:

Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:27Psalm 51:10Isaiah 40:26