The Hebrew verb bazah (בָּזָה) means to despise, to hold in contempt, or to treat as worthless. It appears approximately 42 times in the Old Testament. The word describes an attitude of utter disregard — treating something or someone as beneath consideration. It is used of despising God's word, God's covenant, one's own birthright, the poor, and ultimately the Lord's Servant.
The most theologically significant use of bazah is in Isaiah 53:3, the great Suffering Servant passage: "He was despised and rejected by mankind." This prophecy, written centuries before the birth of Jesus, describes the Messiah as one who would be treated with contempt by His own people. Esau "despised" his birthright (Genesis 25:34), trading his covenant inheritance for a bowl of stew — a paradigm of spiritual foolishness. Proverbs warns against despising God's discipline (3:11). The Gospel turns contempt upside down: the One who was most despised is now exalted above every name.