ba.ar describes burning fire, kindling, and the removal of evil or objects through destructive action.

The term commonly depicts fire actively burning or consuming, whether in a bush, mountain, coals, lamps, weapons, or persons and objects exposed to flame. It also occurs in clauses about kindling fire and, in legal and judgment contexts, removing evil, bloodguilt, or forbidden things from among the people; wrath can likewise be portrayed as burning.

1. Burning or being consumed by fire · dominant

   Qal forms describe fire or fiery objects in action: in Exodus 3:2 the bush is burning without being consumed, and in Deuteronomy 4:11 the mountain is burning with fire. The same use appears with blazing coals in 2 Samuel 22:13 and with fire consuming sheep and servants in Job 1:16.

   Exodus 3:2Deuteronomy 4:112 Samuel 22:13Job 1:16Isaiah 43:2Ezekiel 1:13
2. Kindling or maintaining a fire · common

   Piel forms occur where people provide or use fuel for fire: in 2 Chronicles 4:20 the lamps are set to burn before the sanctuary, while Jeremiah 7:18 places the fathers in the clause that kindles the fire. Ezekiel 39:9 describes inhabitants making fires with captured weapons.

   2 Chronicles 4:202 Chronicles 13:11Jeremiah 7:18Ezekiel 39:9Ezekiel 39:10Isaiah 44:15
3. Removing evil or defiling matter · common

   In legal commands, Piel forms stand in clauses requiring the removal of what harms the community. In Deuteronomy 17:12 the APB renders the command to deal with the defiant man as "you shall burn the evil from Israel," while Deuteronomy 17:7 and Deuteronomy 21:21 render comparable clauses as purging evil from the midst.

   Deuteronomy 17:12Deuteronomy 17:7Deuteronomy 19:19Deuteronomy 21:21Deuteronomy 21:9Judges 20:13
4. Burning wrath or destructive judgment · occasional

   Qal forms can portray anger or judgment as fire that goes forth and burns. In Jeremiah 21:12 the APB renders divine wrath going forth "like fire and burn," and in Lamentations 2:3 it renders the action against Jacob "like a consuming flame of fire."

   Esther 1:12Jeremiah 21:12Jeremiah 44:6Lamentations 2:3Isaiah 42:25Isaiah 9:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses "burning," "burn," or "blazed" for fire scenes, as in Exodus 3:2 and 2 Samuel 22:13. In legal removal clauses it instead uses "purge," as in Deuteronomy 17:7, so its wording should be read as a whole-verse presentation rather than definitions.