In Hebrew: 'Betrayal'

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February 19, 2013, 12 PM ET

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בְּגִידָה

To betray is לִבְגּוֹד in Hebrew. לבגוד is an active-simple פָּעַל verb, whose root is ב.ג.ד (b.g.d), the same as that for clothing. For example:

בְּגִידָה, פֵּרוּשָׁהּ הֲפָרַת אֵמוּן. Betrayal means (its interpretation is) a breach in trust.

and

הָאִישׁ הַהוּא בָּגַד בְּעַמּוֹ. That man betrayed his people.

Someone who betrays or commits treason is a בּוֹגֵד if a male or a בּוֹגֶדֶת if a female. What's the connection between betrayal and clothing? I'm not sure. Go theorize. Visit Ktzat Ivrit.