To break off, cut off; by extension, to gain dishonestly, to profit through unjust means. This word carries a strong moral charge — it describes the severing of relationship through greed, and unjust gain that comes at another's expense.
Batsa is the vocabulary of exploitation. The prophets used it to condemn leaders who enriched themselves at the expense of the poor (Hab 2:9; Jer 6:13). It is the opposite of covenant faithfulness (chesed). Where chesed gives freely, batsa takes violently. God's kingdom economy reverses batsa — blessing flows downward, and the generous are enriched.