Quranic root
بحث
b · ḥ · th
The root centers on stirring up or disturbing what covers a thing so that it can be uncovered or sought.
The semantic development runs from scraping or stirring earth by hand to seeking what is hidden, and then to inquiry, investigation, and examination.
- Maqāyīs · row 695
- Mufradāt · row 95
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
بَحَثَ
baḥatha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To scrape or dig in the earth in search of, or to uncover, something.
In the Quranic construction بَحَثَ فِي الأَرْضِ, the action is physical scraping or digging through the ground. The occurrence does not by itself establish the broader abstract sense of investigating a matter.
- Lane · entry 35616
- Mufradāt · row 95
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:31word 4
“it (was) scratching”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 5:31يَبْحَثُit (was) scratching
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 16 Classical meanings
بَحَثَ
To search for something or seek information about it; to inquire into, investigate, scrutinize, or examine a matter.
The construction بَحَثَ عَنْهُ denotes searching or inquiring about something, while بَحَثَ فِيهِ can denote investigating or examining it.
- Lane · entry 35616
بَحْثٌ
Searching, inquiry, investigation, scrutiny, or examination.
Verbal noun of بَحَثَ in its abstract searching and investigating uses.
- Lane · entry 35616
بَاحَثَ
To investigate or examine a matter with another, especially through disputation.
The reciprocal interaction may involve scrutinizing one another's secrets or faults and exchanging accusations.
- Lane · entry 35617
تَبَاحَثَ
To inquire into one another's secrets.
A reciprocal construction referring to mutual investigation of concealed matters.
- Lane · entry 35619
اِبْتَحَثَ
To play with dust or earth, especially in the game called البُحْثَةُ.
A specialized Form VIII usage associated with a dust-playing game.
- Lane · entry 35620
بَحْثٌ
A mine in which gold or silver is sought.
A specialized noun referring to a place where prospecting is conducted.
- Lane · entry 35622
بَحْثٌ
A large serpent.
The designation is explained by the serpent's scraping up dust or earth.
- Lane · entry 35622
البُحْثَةُ
A game played with dust or earth.
The spelling البَحْثَةُ is also reported for this game.
- Lane · entry 35623
بَحُوثٌ
Camels that scrape up dust or earth with their forefeet while walking, throwing it behind them.
An epithet describing this characteristic manner of movement.
- Lane · entry 35624
البَحُوثُ
An intensive epithet for one who probes or investigates; also a traditional name of Surat al-Tawbah.
The surah name is explained by its probing into the hypocrites and their secrets; variant vocalization البُحُوثُ is also reported for the surah title.
- Lane · entry 35624
بَحِيثٌ
A secret or concealed matter.
Reported in the proverbial expression بَدَا بَحِيثُهُمْ, “their secret became apparent.”
- Lane · entry 35625
بُحَاثَةٌ
Dust or earth scraped up from the thing being searched in it.
A noun for the material displaced during searching or digging.
- Lane · entry 35626
بَاحِثٌ
One who scrapes up dust or earth, or one who searches.
In proverbial comparisons, the term can describe someone whose search leads to his own destruction, as in the search for the buried knife.
- Lane · entry 35628
بَاحِثَاءُ
The dust or earth gathered by a jerboa in its burrow.
Plural بَاحِثَاوَاتٌ.
- Lane · entry 35629
مَبْحَثٌ
A place or time of scraping, digging, searching, inquiring, investigating, scrutinizing, or examining.
Plural مَبَاحِثُ; the noun can cover either a physical or an investigative setting.
- Lane · entry 35630
مَبْحَثٌ
A remote, desolate, or unknown place where a person’s whereabouts are not known.
This specialized meaning occurs in the expression تَرَكْتُهُ بِمَبَاحِثِ البَقَرِ.
- Lane · entry 35630
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The sole Quran occurrence, 5:31, denotes physical scraping or digging in the earth; abstract inquiry and investigation are broader Classical Arabic uses.
The sense “secret” for بَحِيثٌ is reported with a citation disagreement in the lexical evidence.