Quranic root
بهت
b · h · t
The root centers on bewilderment, perplexity, and being struck speechless; in a related development, an outrageous falsehood is one that overwhelms or bewilders its hearer.
The intransitive verb denotes becoming confounded, while its transitive use denotes causing that state. بُهْتَانٌ extends the association to calumny or falsehood so shocking that it confounds the hearer.
- Maqāyīs · row 855
- Mufradāt · row 161
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 8
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
بَهَتَ
bahata
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
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 become confounded, perplexed, or astonished, unable to discern the right course.
In the Quranic passive form, the subject is left bewildered or struck speechless; the usage describes a state resulting from an overwhelming argument or realization.
- Lane · entry 37287
- Mufradāt · row 161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:258word 36
“So became dumbfounded”
To cause someone to become confounded or bewildered, including by an unexpected onset.
The transitive construction presents the object as overwhelmed or unable to respond; suddenness may be supplied by the surrounding context rather than by the verb alone.
- Lane · entry 37287
Selected Quran examples
Quran 21:40word 4
“and bewilder them”
بُهْتَانٌ
buhtānun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 6 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A calumny, slander, false accusation, or shocking lie.
The Quranic noun can denote a fabricated charge or falsehood so outrageous that it bewilders the hearer. In 60:12, it has been interpreted either as an allusion to adultery or more broadly as any reprehensible act carried out by hand or foot; the narrower interpretation is not required by the lexical meaning alone.
- Lane · entry 37293
- Mufradāt · row 161
Selected Quran examples
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:258فَبُهِتَSo became dumbfounded
- 4:20بُهْتَـٰنًۭا(by) slander
- 4:112بُهْتَـٰنًۭا(with) a slander
- 4:156بُهْتَـٰنًاa slander
- 21:40فَتَبْهَتُهُمْand bewilder them
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 12 Classical meanings
بَهَتَ
To be overcome in a dispute by an argument, allegation, or plea.
A specialized use describing the defeated party in disputation.
- Lane · entry 37287
بَهَتَ
To calumniate, slander, or falsely accuse someone; to forge a lie against them.
This is a transitive use. It can include directly accusing someone of an act they did not commit, including a false accusation of adultery.
- Lane · entry 37287
بَهَتَ
To remove a stallion from a she-camel so that a stallion of more generous stock may cover her.
A specialized breeding term used with the construction بَهَتَ الفَحْلَ عَنِ النَّاقَةِ.
- Lane · entry 37287
بَاهَتَ
To engage with another in mutual calumny, slander, or false accusation.
A reciprocal or mutual Form III construction.
- Lane · entry 37289
بَاهَتَ
To confound or perplex another by what one fabricates against them.
The confounding is produced through a forged charge or fabricated allegation.
- Lane · entry 37289
بَهْتٌ
A certain well-known kind of stone.
- Lane · entry 37291
بُهْتٌ
A sidereal computation or calculation of the direct course of the stars in a day.
A technical term whose Arabic status is reported as doubtful by one authority.
- Lane · entry 37292
بُهْتَانٌ
In an exclamatory idiom, an expression of appeal for help against calumny or of astonishment at it.
The construction varies in vocalization according to whether it calls for aid or expresses wonder.
- Lane · entry 37293
بَهُوتٌ
An intensive or habitual calumniator, slanderer, or false accuser; one who confounds a hearer by fabricated charges.
The word may also describe one who falsely accuses a woman of adultery, but that example does not limit its general application.
- Lane · entry 37294
بَاهِتٌ
One who causes another to become confounded, or who calumniates or falsely accuses another.
An active participial noun from the transitive Form I verb.
- Lane · entry 37298
مَبْهُوتٌ
Confounded, perplexed, or amazed and unable to discern the right course.
A passive participial description of the person affected by bewilderment.
- Lane · entry 37299
مَبْهُوتٌ
Calumniated, slandered, or falsely accused.
A passive participial description of the person against whom a false charge has been made.
- Lane · entry 37299
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form I Quran group contains both the passive perfect بُهِتَ and the active imperfect تَبْهَتُ; the public headword is normalized to the classical citation form بَهَتَ, with the two Quranic constructions distinguished as separate senses.
The interpretation of بُهْتَانٍ in 60:12 varies between an allusion to adultery and a broader reference to reprehensible acts; the artifact preserves both as interpretive possibilities without making the narrower reading definitional.
Historical Quran citation notation in the lexical evidence is not converted directly into modern verse coordinates; the examples use the independently supplied QAC locations.