A primitive root, bara means to create or bring into existence. It is used in the Old Testament to describe the act of creation, and its subject is always God. It signifies the creation of something new, something that did not exist before.
The verb bara is of profound theological importance. It is used in the very first verse of the Bible, "In the beginning, God created (bara) the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative, establishing God as the sovereign Creator of all things. The use of bara emphasizes the uniqueness of God's creative power, as it is a power that belongs to Him alone. It is used for the creation of the universe, of man, and of a new heart in the believer (Psalm 51:10).