In Hebrew, the word bara (בָּרָא) is a verb that means “to create” or “to shape.” It is often used in the context of creation, particularly in religious texts like the Bible. The word carries a sense of bringing something into existence that did not exist before.
For example, in the first chapter of Genesis, the phrase “In the beginning, God created (bara) the heavens and the earth” uses this word to describe the act of creation. The term implies a divine act of creation, suggesting that God brought the universe into existence from nothing.
Understanding the meaning of bara helps in interpreting many biblical passages and provides insight into the theological concept of creation in Hebrew thought.