The Hebrew Meaning of Bohu

What Does 'bohu' Mean?

The Hebrew term *bohu* in Genesis 1:2 denotes a state of emptiness, complementing *tohu* to depict primordial chaos.

In Genesis 1:2, *bohu* pairs with *tohu* to describe the earth as 'formless and empty,' with *bohu* emphasizing void or lack of substance, while *tohu* stresses formlessness. Linguistically, *bohu* derives from a root linked to emptiness or desolation, distinct from *tohu*’s focus on disorder. Scholars note that the combination *tohu wabohu* evokes a pre-creation state awaiting divine shaping.

This distinction highlights Genesis’s intentional use of language to convey a world not yet filled or structured. Understanding *bohu*’s role clarifies how the text frames creation as an act of bringing order and fullness to what was previously void.

bohu in the Biblical Narrative

In Genesis 1:2, *bohu* anchors the biblical portrayal of creation’s prelude, framing God’s work as an act of transforming emptiness into order.

The phrase 'the earth was formless and empty' (Genesis 1:2) uses *tohu wabohu* to depict a state awaiting divine intervention, with *bohu* underscoring existential void rather than mere disarray. This contrasts sharply with the subsequent creative acts, where God fills the void with light, life, and structure, demonstrating His authority over nothingness. By juxtaposing *bohu* with the orderly emergence of the cosmos, the text emphasizes that creation is not an extension of existing chaos but a deliberate imposition of purpose. This linguistic choice also distinguishes Genesis from ancient Near Eastern myths, where creation often arises from cosmic struggle rather than ex nihilo power.

Theologically, *bohu* highlights God’s sovereignty over absence itself. Unlike pantheistic or polytheistic frameworks where creation emerges from primordial deities or forces, Genesis presents God as independent of and superior to emptiness. His creative word does more than organize preexisting materials. It creates reality from *bohu*, confirming He is the sole source of being. This concept becomes foundational for later biblical themes of divine sufficiency and the uniqueness of Yahweh’s creative authority.

This understanding of *bohu* sets the stage for interpreting creation as an act of redemptive fullness, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture’s narrative of God restoring brokenness. The next section will explore how this linguistic and theological framework influences later biblical metaphors for desolation and renewal.

bohu Beyond Genesis

Beyond its Genesis 1:2 context, the term *bohu* appears in prophetic literature to convey divine judgment’s aftermath.

Isaiah 34:11 employs *bohu* to describe the desolation of Edom: 'Its nobles - its wild animals and cattle - will share their plunder, and its houses will be full of *bohu*.' Here, *bohu* signifies a void resulting from God’s judgment, contrasting with Genesis’s primordial emptiness. This usage reframes *bohu* as a state of intentional abandonment, where once-thriving places become uninhabitable voids due to divine wrath.

This expansion of *bohu*’s meaning underscores its theological versatility in Scripture. While Genesis frames *bohu* as a pre-creative potential, Isaiah and similar passages (e.g., Jeremiah 4:23) repurpose it to depict irreversible ruin, emphasizing God’s power to unmake as He creates. Such contrasts highlight how biblical authors repurpose language to trace themes of judgment and restoration, a duality that will be explored in the next section’s examination of *bohu*’s metaphorical legacy.

Putting 'bohu' into Practice

Understanding 'bohu' invites reflection on humanity's role in preserving God's created order against the threat of desolation.

Genesis 1:2's depiction of creation emerging from 'formless and empty' (tohu wabohu) establishes a theological foundation for stewardship: just as God transformed void into life, humans are called to cultivate, not deplete, His good creation. Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23, where 'bohu' describes judgment's aftermath, warn that neglect or exploitation can reduce flourishing ecosystems to uninhabitable wastelands. This contrast between divine creativity and human-induced emptiness challenges believers to see environmental care as a spiritual discipline.

Practically, this means resisting complacency in the face of ecological decline, recognizing that 'bohu' is not a static state but a warning against abandoning God's entrusted stewardship. The tension between Genesis' creative order and prophetic 'bohu' judgments underscores that care for creation is both a response to grace and a safeguard against spiritual and physical emptiness.

Going Deeper

Scholars continue to debate the precise nuances of 'bohu' and its connection to broader ancient Near Eastern cosmologies.

Unresolved questions include its exact relationship to the Hebrew root 'b-h-v' and whether it implies a void awaiting divine action or a state of nonexistence. For further study, explore Genesis commentaries by Claus Westermann or the Anchor Yale Bible series, and consult Hebrew lexicons like HALOT for linguistic debates.