Hebrew word · Strong's H898

בָּגַד

bâgad · baw-gad' · verb · “to deal treacherously”

In a sentence

Bagad means to deal treacherously or unfaithfully — the kind of broken faith Israel was guilty of, and the very thing God’s faithfulness overcomes.

Bagad describes treachery — covenant-breaking, betrayal, two-faced dealing. The prophets level it at Israel’s idolatry and at Judah’s injustices.

Against that grim backdrop, God’s own emet (truth/faithfulness) shines. Malachi rebukes treachery in marriage and worship; God responds with covenant love that does not turn treacherous.

Strong's reference

Definition: to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

KJV usage: deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very.

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Malachi 2:11 “Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.” Jeremiah 3:20 “But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD.” Psalms 25:3 “Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who are faithless without cause will be disgraced.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.