ba.tah describes making an impulsive utterance, whether in an oath or in speech that harms.

The attested verses consistently depict an unguarded verbal utterance: an oath made concerning good or evil, speech compared with sword thrusts, and words spoken after rebellion.

1. Impulsive or harmful utterance · dominant

   In Leviticus 5:4, the Piel infinitive construct forms occur in the clause about swearing concerning evil or good; the APB renders the verse with “swears rashly” and “rashly swear.” In Proverbs 12:18, the Qal active participle identifies a person whose speech is compared with sword thrusts, while Psalm 106:33 uses a Piel sequential imperfect in the clause that the man “spoke rashly with his lips.”

   Leviticus 5:4Proverbs 12:18Psalm 106:33

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the occurrences with “swears rashly,” “rash speech,” and “spoke rashly with his lips.” These phrases confirm the verses' portrayal of rash verbal expression rather than establish separate renderings.