Meaning of Brutish in Psalms and Proverbs
The Hebrew word בַּעַר (ba'ar), translated as "brutish," appears in several passages in the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms and Proverbs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon defines בַּעַר as "brutishness" and notes that it is used only in poetry [2].
In Psalms, the term "brutish" is used to describe individuals who lack understanding or knowledge. For example, Psalm 73:22 states, "And I am brutish, and do not know. A beast I have been with Thee" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 92:6 says, "A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this" [3]. The Psalmist is highlighting the contrast between the wise and the brutish, with the latter being characterized by a lack of understanding.
The term "brutish" is also used in Proverbs to describe individuals who are stupid or lacking in self-awareness. Proverbs 12:1 states, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is brutish" [5]. Here, the brutish individual is one who rejects correction and is therefore unable to gain knowledge or wisdom. Proverbs 30:2 also uses the term to describe the speaker, Agur, who says, "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man" [4].
The Jewish tradition, as represented by Rashi's commentary on Jeremiah 10:14, understands the term "brutish" to be related to a lack of knowledge or understanding. Rashi notes that the term נבער (niv'ar), used in Jeremiah 10:14, is comparable to the term בער (ba'ar) used in Psalms 92:7 [6].
In the Baptist/Reformed tradition, John Gill interprets the term "brutish" as describing individuals who are governed by sense rather than reason or faith. Commenting on Psalm 92:6, Gill notes that a brutish man is one who "only knows things naturally, as brute beasts do, and in which also he corrupts himself" [7]. Similarly, Gill comments on Proverbs 30:2 that Agur is describing himself as having "more of the brute than of the man" [8].
The use of "brutish" in these passages highlights the importance of knowledge and understanding in the biblical worldview. The term is not simply a pejorative, but rather a description of a particular state of being characterized by a lack of wisdom or self-awareness. The contrast between the wise and the brutish serves to emphasize the value of seeking knowledge and understanding.
The biblical concept of "brutishness" is closely tied to the idea of humanity's original creation and the effects of sin. As Gill notes, humanity was originally "made far above the brute creatures, and had them all under his dominion; but, sinning, became like the beasts that perish" [7]. The term "brutish" thus serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of seeking redemption and restoration.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 73:22 (YLT) — And I am brutish, and do not know. A beast I have been with Thee.”
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H1198] baar — H1198. baar בַּ֫עַר noun masculine brutishness (only in poetry) — absolute ׳ב Psa 49:11 3t., בָּ֑עַר Prov 12:1; — combination, ׳אִישׁבֿ brutish man Psa 92:7 (|| כסיל); elsewhere ׳ב alone in same sense (concrete) 49:11 (|| id.), & as predicate = adjective, 73:22; Prov 12:1; 30:2.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 92:6 — A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:2: brutish--stupid, a strong term to denote his lowly self-estimation; or he may speak of such as his natural condition, as contrasted with God's all-seeing comprehensive knowledge and almighty power. The questions of this clause emphatically deny the attributes mentioned to be those of any creature, thus impressively strengthening the implied reference of the former to God (compare Deu 30:12-14; Isa 40:12; Eph 4:8).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 12 (introduction): (Pro. 12:1-28) loveth knowledge--as the fruit of instruction or training (Pro 1:2). hateth reproof-- (Pro 10:17). brutish--stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Psa 49:10; Psa 73:22).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Jeremiah 10:14: brutish Heb. נבער. Comp. (Psalms 92:7) “a brutish (בער) man”; also here (infra 10:21), “the shepherds have become brutish (נבערו).””
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 92:6: A brutish man knoweth not,.... The lovingkindness of the Lord, and his faithfulness, nor how to show them forth, nor his great works and deep thoughts; man was made originally far above the brute creatures, and had them all under his dominion; but, sinning, became like the beasts that perish; and is in Scripture often compared to one or other of them, as the horse, ass, &c. a brutish man is one that only knows things naturally, as brute beasts do, and in which also he corrupts himself; he is governed by sense, and not by reason, and much less by faith, which he has no”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 30:2: Surely I am more brutish than any man,.... "Every man is become brutish in his knowledge"; man in his original state was a knowing creature but sinning lost his knowledge, and "became like the beasts that perish"; hence we read of the "brutish among the people": but Agur thought himself not only brutish among the rest, but more brutish than any. So Plato (o) says of some souls living on earth, that they are of a brutish nature; see Jer 10:14. Or I think the words may be rendered, "a brute am I rather than a man" (p); have more of the brute than of the man, especiall”