בַּת
Bat
Daughter
Bat (בַּת) is a Hebrew word meaning “daughter,” pronounced “BAHT.” Derived from the root ב-ת, bat appears 587 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H1323).
| Hebrew | בַּת |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Bat |
| Pronunciation | BAHT |
| Meaning | Daughter |
| Root Letters | ב-ת |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 587× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 45:13 |
| Strong's Number | H1323 |
| Category | Family & Relationships |
The Hebrew word bat (בַּת) — daughter — resonates through some of the most tender and powerful passages in Scripture. The prophets repeatedly address Jerusalem as 'Bat Tziyon' (Daughter of Zion), a term of deep affection that transforms the capital city into a beloved child of God. Zechariah 9:9 famously proclaims, 'Rejoice greatly, Bat Tziyon! Shout, Bat Yerushalayim! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation.' Jesus fulfilled this prophecy on Palm Sunday, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shouted (Matthew 21:5). Bat also appears in some of the Bible's most dramatic personal stories: Pharaoh's bat who rescued baby Moses (Exodus 2:5), Jephthah's bat whose courage and obedience cost her everything (Judges 11), and the bat melech (king's daughter) of Psalm 45 who is 'all glorious within.' Like ben, bat can describe character: a 'bat beliya'al' is a worthless woman. But most profoundly, every believing woman is a 'bat' of the King — a royal daughter with an inheritance and a calling that the world cannot diminish.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 45:13
“All glorious is the princess (bat melech — king's daughter) within her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.”
What Is the Root of Bat in Hebrew?
Bat is the feminine form related to the root ב-נ-ה (to build), parallel to 'ben' (son). Just as a ben builds the family name, a bat builds the family's future. Bat also means 'unit of liquid measure' in some contexts (approximately 22 liters), though this is likely a different root.
What Does Bat Mean in the Bible?
Bat appears approximately 587 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to biological daughters, the prophetic title 'Bat Tziyon' (Daughter of Zion), members of a group ('daughters of Israel'), and age expressions ('bat shloshim' = 'daughter of thirty,' i.e., thirty years old).
How Is Bat Used in Modern Hebrew?
The Bat Mitzvah ceremony became widespread in the 20th century as the women's equivalent of Bar Mitzvah. 'Bat Yam' (Daughter of the Sea) is a coastal city in Israel. In Israeli slang, 'bat' is used affectionately, much like 'dear' or 'sweetie.'
How to Use Bat in Prayer & Worship
If you are a woman of faith, know that you are a 'bat melech' — a daughter of the King. Your identity, worth, and purpose are defined not by the world's standards but by your Father in heaven who calls you His own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bat
How do you say “Daughter” in Hebrew?
“Daughter” in Hebrew is Bat (בַּת), pronounced “BAHT.” Bat is the feminine form related to the root ב-נ-ה (to build), parallel to 'ben' (son). Just as a ben builds the family name, a bat builds the family's future. Bat also means 'unit of liquid measure' in some contexts (approximately 22 liters), though this is likely a different root.
What does Bat mean in the Bible?
Bat (בַּת) means “Daughter” in Biblical Hebrew. Bat appears approximately 587 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to biological daughters, the prophetic title 'Bat Tziyon' (Daughter of Zion), members of a group ('daughters of Israel'), and age expressions ('bat shloshim' = 'daughter of thirty,' i.e., thirty years old).
How do you pronounce Bat?
Bat is pronounced “BAHT.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ב-ת.
What does 'Daughter of Zion' mean?
Bat Tziyon (Daughter of Zion) is a prophetic title for Jerusalem and its inhabitants, used with deep affection. It personifies the city as God's beloved daughter. Zechariah 9:9 tells Bat Tziyon to rejoice because her king is coming — fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The title reveals God's tender, parental relationship with His people.
What is a Bat Mitzvah?
Bat Mitzvah (בַּת מִצְוָה) means 'daughter of the commandment.' At age 12, a Jewish girl becomes responsible for observing the commandments. The ceremony, which became widespread in the 20th century, celebrates her transition to religious adulthood. It parallels the Bar Mitzvah for boys and affirms the spiritual dignity and responsibility of women in Judaism.
Who was Bat-Sheva (Bathsheba) in the Bible?
Bat-Sheva (בַּת שֶׁבַע) means 'daughter of seven' or 'daughter of the oath.' She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later King David. Despite the scandalous beginning of her relationship with David (2 Samuel 11), she became the mother of Solomon and is named in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:6). Her story reveals how God redeems even the most broken situations.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H1323: Bat
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 45:13 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ב-ת
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