What does בַּעַל · נֶפֶשׁ mean in the Bible?
בַּעַל · נֶפֶשׁ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "a master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)".
Hebrew · H1167, H5315
בַּעַל נָפֶשׁ
A master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense) · properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
בַּעַלH1167a master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
Pronunciationbaʿal
Master through possession and control; extends from literal ownership to relational authority as husband or lord
Open lexicon entry →נֶפֶשׁH5315properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Pronunciationnafsho
Vitality or lifeforce of a creature; ranges from physical breath to desire, appetite, and personal identity or selfhood.
Open lexicon entry →What does בַּעַל נָפֶשׁ (baal nefesh) mean in the Bible?
בַּעַל · נֶפֶשׁ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "a master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)".
Full entry for בַּעַל נָפֶשׁ (H1167, H5315) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H1167, H5315?
H1167, H5315 is connected to 840 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. a master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
Strong'sH1167, H5315
Lexical occurrences840 versesSource Gloss
a master ; hence, a husband , or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
בַּעַל נָפֶשׁ is built from this root:
Cross-Language Connections
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.