Lexical Definition

‎דָּבָר‎ dâbâr (daw-baw') word ^H:N-M
from ‎דָבַר‎

act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.

• a word
• by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing
• adverbially, a cause

1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

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Extended Information

meaning of: דָּבָר

• : thing/matter

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎דָּבָר‎₁₄₃₉ noun masculine speech, word — Gen 18:14 + 446 t.; construct ‎דְּבַר‎ Gen 12:17 + 361 t.; suffix ‎דְּבָרִי‎ Num 11:23 + (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; plural ‎דְּבָרִים‎ Exod 4:10 + 182 t.; construct ‎דִּבְרֵי‎ Gen 24:30 + 253 t.; suffix ‎דְּבָרָיו‎ Gen 37:8 (suffixes 127 t.); plural in all 564 t.; —

I. singular speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken:

1. of men,
a. ‎נְבוֺן דָּבָר‎ discreet in speech 1Sam 16:18 ‎שְׂפָתַיִם‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ speech of lips Ps 59:13*, mere talk Isa 36:5 (= 2Kgs 18:20) Prov 14:23 (compare Ps 17:4 speech of God's lips); ‎דָּבָר מָר‎ bitter speech Ps 64:4* ‎כָּזָב‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ lying speech Prov 30:8 ‎דְּבָֽרְךָ טוֺכ‎ thy saying is good 1Sam 9:10 ‎וּדְבַר אַבְנֵר הָיָה עִם‎ and the speech of Abner had been with the elders of Israel 2Sam 3:17 (compare 1Kgs 1:7); ‎אמר הדבר הזה‎ say this saying Jer 23:38; Jer 31:23 compare Jer 13:12; Jer 14:17 (of God), 1Sam 8:10 (‎׳‎‎דִּבְרֵי י‎).
b. word of command, ‎(הַ)מֶּלֶךְ‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ 1Chr 21:4; 1Chr 21:6; Esth 1:12 + 6 t. Esther; Eccl 8:4 compare 2Chr 30:5; 2Chr 31:5; Dan 9:23; Dan 9:25 ‎מַלְכוּת‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ royal edict Esth 1:19 ‎כדבר עשׂה‎ do according to the command of Gen 44:2; Gen 47:30; Exod 8:9*; Exod 8:27*; Exod 12:35; Exod 32:28 (J) Lev 10:7 (P) Judg 11:10; Ezra 10:5; Neh 5:12; Neh 5:13 compare 2Sam 17:6 (word of counsel), 1Kgs 3:12 (request), 1Kgs 17:13 (proposal; on these meanings see below)
c. message, report, tidings, ‎וַיִּשְׁמַע הָעָם‎ ‎אֶתהַֿדָּבָר הָרָע הַזֶּה‎ and the people heard this evil report Exod 33:4 (JE) compare 1Kgs 20:12 ‎אמת (היה) הדבר‎ the report was true 1Kgs 10:6 = 2Chr 9:5 ‎עַד בּוֺא‎ ‎דָבָר מֵעִמָּכֶם‎ until word come from you 2Sam 15:28 ‎ויגע הדבר אל מלך נינוה‎ Jonah 3:6 ‎הֵשִׁיב דָּבָר‎ return or bring word, report Gen 37:14; Num 13:26; Num 22:8 (J) Deut 1:22; Deut 1:25; Josh 14:7; Josh 22:32 (D) 1Kgs 2:30; 1Kgs 20:9; 2Kgs 22:9; 2Kgs 22:20 (= 2Chr 34:16; 2Chr 34:28), but answer 1Sam 17:30; 2Sam 3:11; 2Sam 24:13 (= 1Chr 21:12), 1Kgs 12:6; 1Kgs 12:9 (= 2Chr 10:6; 2Chr 10:9), 2Chr 12:16; Neh 2:20; Prov 18:13; Prov 27:11; Isa 41:28; Ezek 9:11 (Dr^{Sm, p, 190 explains the phrase as} turn back with a word); compare ‎דבר (לא) ענה‎ answer something or nothing 1Kgs 18:21; 2Kgs 18:36; Ps 119:42; Isa 36:21; Jer 44:20 see IV. 6; ‎דברים השׁיב‎ return words Exod 19:8 (E) Prov 24:26 see

III. 1. d. advice, counsel, ‎בדבר בלעם‎ by advice of Balaam Num 31:16 (P), compare Judg 20:7; 2Sam 19:44*; Esth 5:5.
e. request, ‎אמתו‎ of his maid, ‎עבדו‎ of his servant 2Sam 14:15; 2Sam 14:22.
f. promise, ‎לא יחל דברו‎ he shall not break his word Num 30:3* (P), compare ‎הקים דבר‎ perform a promise Neh 5:13, see also 2 b. g. charge, complaint, ‎אם אמת היה הדבר הזה‎ if this charge be true Deut 22:20 compare Deut 13:15*; Deut 17:4, ‎שׂים דבר בְּ‎ 1Sam 22:15, ‎שׂים‎ ‎עלילות דברים לְ‎ Deut 22:14; Deut 22:17.
h. decision, sentence, ‎דְּבַר הַמִּשְׁפָּט‎ the sentence of judgment Deut 17:9 compare vDeut 17:10 vDeut 17:11.
i. theme, story, ‎רָחַשׁ לִבִּי דָּבָר טוֺב‎ my heart swells with a good theme Ps 45:2* ‎דְּבַרגְּבוּרוֺת‎ the story of his great might Job 41:4*.

2. word of God, as a divine communication in the form of commandments, prophecy, and words of help to his people, used 394 times. This word is communicated in several ways:
a. ‎אל‎ ‎׳‎‎ויהי דבר י‎ then the word of Yahweh came unto 1Sam 15:10; 2Sam 7:4 (compare ‎אלהים‎ 1Chr 17:3), 1Kgs 6:11; 1Kgs 13:20; 1Kgs 16:1; 1Kgs 17:2; 1Kgs 17:8; 1Kgs 21:17; 1Kgs 21:28; 2Chr 11:2 (compare ‎האלהים‎ 1Kgs 12:22): compare 1Chr 22:8 (‎על‎ by confusion), Isa 38:4; Jer 1:4 + 20 t. Jeremiah, Ezek 3:16 + 41 t. Ezekiel; Jonah 1:1; Jonah 3:1; Hag 2:20; Zech 4:8; Zech 6:9; Zech 7:4; Zech 7:8; Zech 8:1 (without ‎אל‎) vZech 8:18 ‎אל‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎היה ד‎ Gen 15:1; 2Chr 12:7; Jer 25:3 + 4 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 1:3 + 7 t. Ezekiel; Dan 9:2; Zech 1:1; Zech 1:7; Zech 7:1 ‎אל‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎הנה ד‎ Gen 15:4; 1Kgs 19:9 ‎היה אל‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ 2Sam 24:11; 1Kgs 16:7; 1Kgs 18:1; 2Kgs 20:4; Ezek 24:20 ‎ביד‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎היה ד‎ Hag 1:1; Hag 2:1; Hag 2:10 ‎ביד‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎ויהי ד‎ Hag 1:3 ‎אשׁר‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎היה אל ד‎ Hos 1:1; Joel 1:1 Micah; Zeph 1:1 ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎אליו אשׁר היה ד‎ 1Kgs 18:31; Jer 1:2 ‎׳‎‎אל יר‎ ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎אשׁר היה ד‎ Jer 14:1; Jer 46:1; Jer 47:1; Jer 49:34 (see ‎אשׁר‎ 6 a); ‎הדבר אשׁר היה אל‎ Jer 7:1 + 11 t. Jeremiah; ‎׳‎‎י‎ ‎׳‎‎את ד‎ 2Kgs 3:12; Jer 23:28; Jer 27:18 compare ‎אֵלַי דָּבָר יְגֻנָּב‎ unto me a word was brought by stealth Job 4:12, compare ‎׳‎‎וְטֶרֶם יִגָּלֶה אֵלָיו דְּבַר י‎ and the word of Yahweh was not yet revealed unto him 1Sam 3:7. Yahweh also sends his word ‎שׁלח‎ Ps 107:20; Ps 147:18; Isa 9:7*; Jer 42:5 (compare plural Zech 7:12) and makes it an object of vision ‎ראה‎ Jer 2:31; Jer 38:21 (compare plural Ezek 11:25), ‎חזה‎ Isa 2:1 it is also commanded ‎צוה‎ Exod 16:16; Exod 16:32; Exod 35:4; Lev 8:5; Lev 9:6; Lev 17:2; Num 30:2*; Num 36:6 (P) Deut 4:2; Deut 13:1*; Deut 15:15; Deut 4:10 (D) 1Chr 16:15 (= Ps 105:8) Neh 1:8; Jer 7:23, compare ‎הדברים אשׁר צוה‎ Exod 35:1; Lev 8:36 (P) Exod 19:7 (E) Deut 6:6.
b. Yahweh confirms his word of promise Deut 9:5; 1Sam 1:23 (where read ‎דְּבָרֵךְ‎ thy word according to ᵐ5 ᵑ6 & Dr), 1Kgs 2:4; 1Kgs 6:12; 1Kgs 8:20; Jer 29:10; Jer 33:14, and his word of warning 1Kgs 12:15; Dan 9:12 his word stands for ever Isa 40:8 it is settled for ever in heaven Ps 119:89 he remembers his holy word ‎דבר קדשׁו‎ Ps 105:42 (compare ‎דִּבְרֵי קָדְשׁוֺ‎ Jer 23:9); he himself Joel 2:11, the angels Ps 103:20, and forces of nature Ps 148:8 ‎עשׂה דברו‎ do his word of command; by his word the heavens were made Ps 33:6 it is near his people, in their mouth and heart Deut 30:14 a lamp to their feet Ps 119:105. II. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse: —

1. of men,
a. ‎דָּבָר בְּעִתּוֺ‎ a word in due season Prov 15:23 compare Job 4:2; Prov 12:25 commonly in plural, ‎דִּבְרֵי (הַ)שִּׁירָ(הׅ‎ words of the song (i.e. its lines of poetry) Deut 31:30; Deut 32:44; Ps 18:1* (= 2Sam 22:1) Ps 137:3 ‎הלל בדברי דויד‎ to sing praises with the words of David (his psalms) 2Chr 29:30 ‎דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים‎ sentences of the wise Prov 1:6; Prov 22:17; Eccl 9:17; Eccl 12:11 these sayings are commonly written, compare ‎דברי האגרת‎ words of the letterEsth 9:26 ‎הדברים‎ ‎עתיקים‎ the records are ancient 1Chr 4:22 ‎דִּבְרֵי‎ ‎(ה)סֵפֶר‎ Isa 29:11; Isa 29:18; Jer 29:1.
b. title of writings: ‎דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת‎ Eccl 1:1, ‎אגור‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Prov 30:1, ‎למואל‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Prov 31:1, ‎ירמיהו‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Jer 1:1, so Amos 1:1; Neh 1:1 compare in appended phrase or clause, Jer 51:64, ‎איוב‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Job 31:40.
c. in Chronicles name of a work: ‎החזים‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ 2Chr 33:18; 2Chr 33:19, ‎שׁמעיה‎ ‎׳‎‎בד‎ 2Chr 12:15, ‎יהוא‎ ‎׳‎‎בד‎ 2Chr 20:34, ‎׳‎‎שׁמואל על ד‎ 1Chr 29:29 ‎נתן‎ ‎׳‎‎על ד‎ 1Chr 29:29; 2Chr 9:29, ‎גד על‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ 1Chr 29:29. (It is not certain whether writings of prophets or histories about them are referred to; in the latter case they are acts, IV. 2, see Dr^{Intr 497}.)

2. of God: ‎עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים‎ the ten words (sentences in the tables) Exod 34:28 (JE) Deut 4:13; Deut 10:4, referred to as ‎הדברים‎ Exod 34:1 (JE) Deut 4:10; Deut 4:36; Deut 5:19; Deut 9:10; Deut 10:2 of commands of covenant code Exod 24:3; Exod 24:4; Exod 24:8 compare Exod 34:27 (JE); of Deuteronomic code Deut 17:19 (+ 16 t. D) 2Kgs 22:11; 2Kgs 23:3-24 (compare 2Chr 34:19-31) Jer 11:2-8; Jer 34:18 the law-book of Joshua Josh 24:26 (E); of the code of Ezra Ezra 7:11; Ezra 9:4; Neh 8:9; Neh 8:13 the words of Yahweh written by Jeremiah Jer 25:13; Jer 36:4-32; Jer 51:61 the words of the book of Daniel Dan 12:4; Dan 12:9 commands in general 1Sam 15:11; Ps 50:17; Ps 119:57; Ps 119:130; Ps 119:139 promises 2Sam 7:28; Neh 9:8, compare 1Chr 25:5; 2Chr 36:16. III. a word, words: —

1. of men: ‎שָׂפָה אֶחָ֑ת‎ ‎וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים‎ one lip, and one and the same words Gen 11:1 (J); ‎אֵין אֹמֶר וְאֵין דְּבָרִים‎ no speech and no words Ps 19:4* ‎אִישׁ דְּבָרִים‎ man of words, ready in speech, Exod 4:10 (J); ‎רב דברים‎ multitude of words Job 11:2; Prov 10:19; Eccl 5:2* ‎קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם דְּבָרִים‎ take with you words Hos 14:3* ‎דבר(י) (ה)שׁקר‎ lying word(s) Exod 5:9; Exod 23:7 (E) Prov 13:5; Prov 29:12; Isa 59:13; Jer 7:4; Jer 7:8 ‎דִּבְרֵי רוּחַ‎ words of wind, vain words Job 16:3 ‎וּמַהשֶּֿׁמֶץ דָּבָר נִשְׁמַעבּֿוֺ‎ and what a whisper of a word we hear of him! Job 26:14.

2. of God. It is difficult to determine how many of the following should come under

II. 2. The plural for words of God is relatively seldom: Gen 20:8; Exod 19:6; Num 12:6; Josh 3:9 (E) Exod 4:28; Exod 4:30; Num 11:24 (J) Deut 18:19; Josh 23:14 (D) 1Sam 3:18; 1Sam 8:10; 1Sam 15:1; 2Chr 11:4; Job 42:7; Prov 30:6; Isa 31:2; Dan 10:11; Amos 8:11; Mic 2:7 apart from Jer 3:12 + 30 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 2:7 + 4 t. Ezekiel; Zech 1:6 + 4 t. Zechariah. IV. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks: —

1. business, occupation: ‎דְּבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ‎ king's business 1Sam 21:9* ‎לְכָלדְּֿבַר‎ for every matter of 1Chr 26:32; 1Chr 27:1; 2Chr 19:11 ‎דְּבָרֶיךָ לְכָלֿ‎ for all thine affairs 1Chr 28:21 ‎דבר‎ ‎המזבח‎ Num 18:7 ‎דָּבָר אֵיןלָֿהֶם עִם‎ they had not dealings with Judg 18:7; Judg 18:28 ‎דְּבַריֿוֺם בְּיוֺמוֺ‎ the task or portion of a day in its day, daily duty or due Exod 5:13; Exod 5:19 (E) Exod 16:4 (J) Lev 23:37 (P) 1Kgs 8:59; 2Kgs 25:30; 1Chr 16:37; 2Chr 8:13 (‎ביום‎) v2Chr 8:14; 2Chr 31:16; Ezra 3:4; Neh 11:23; Neh 12:47; Jer 52:34; Dan 1:5 ‎דבר שׁנה בשׁנה‎ 1Kgs 10:25; 2Chr 9:24.

2. plural acts construct ‎דִּבְרֵי‎ 1Kgs 11:41 (twice in verse); 1Chr 29:29; 2Chr 12:15; 2Chr 16:11 ‎דְּבָרָיו‎ his acts 2Chr 13:22; 2Chr 35:27 especially in phrases, ‎הַיָּמִים וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי ֗֗֗ עַלסֵֿפֶר דִּבְרֵי‎ and the rest of the acts of . . . in the book of the chronicles (daily record of events) of 1Kgs 14:29 + 32 t. Kings; ‎וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי‎ 2Chr 13:22 + 8 t. Chronicles, ‎וְיֶתֶר דְּבָרָיו‎ 2Chr 28:26, ‎שְׁאָר דִּבְרֵי‎ 2Chr 9:29 are referred to various sources; compare also ‎במספר‎ ‎דברי הימים‎ 1Chr 27:24, ‎בדברי דויד‎ 1Chr 23:27, ‎עלדֿברי מלכי ישׂראל‎ 2Chr 33:18: ‎דברים טובים‎ good deeds 2Chr 12:12; 2Chr 19:13 ‎דִּבְרֵי עֲוֺנֹת‎ acts of iniquity Ps 65:4* (De, Fälle von Missethaten); ‎דִּבְרֵירָֿע‎ evil deeds Jer 5:28. It is used of God, only in ‎כל דבריו‎ ‎לא יענה‎ Job 33:13, ‎אֹתוֺתָיו‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Ps 105:27, ‎נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ Ps 145:5.

3. matter, affair: ‎דבר אוריה‎ affair of Uriah 1Kgs 15:5 ‎שׁרשׁ דבר‎ root of the matter Job 19:28 ‎מה היה הדבר‎ how went the matter ? 1Sam 4:16; 2Sam 1:4 compare Ruth 3:18 ‎סבב את פני הדבר‎ change the face of the matter 2Sam 14:20 ‎דִּבְרֵי הָאֲתֹנוֺת‎ the matter of the asses 1Sam 10:2 ‎זה דבר הרצח‎ this is the case of the slayer Deut 19:4 ‎לְכָלדְּֿבָרָיו‎ 1Kgs 6:38 as to all its particulars.

4. events, things: in the phrase, ‎אחר הדברים האלה‎ after these things (events in time) Gen 15:1; Gen 22:1; Gen 40:1 (E) Gen 39:7 (J) 1Kgs 17:17; 1Kgs 21:1; Ezra 7:1; Esth 2:1; Esth 3:1 ‎האלה אחרי הדברים‎ Gen 48:1; Josh 24:29 (E) Gen 22:20 (J) 2Chr 32:1.

5. cause, case for judicial investigation: ‎כִּייִֿהְיֶה‎ ‎לָהֶם דָּבָר‎ if they have a case Exod 18:16 compare Exod 18:22; Exod 22:8* ‎בעל דברים‎ one having a case Exod 24:14, compare ‎בדבר‎ ‎משׁפט‎ 2Chr 19:6 ‎דְּבָרֶיךָ טוֺבִים וּנְכֹחִים‎ pleas, good and right 2Sam 15:3 compare Josh 20:4.

6. something, anything (indefinite): ‎עשׂה דבר‎ do a thing Gen 22:16 + (frequent); ‎עשׂה דברים‎ Isa 42:16 + (less frequent); ‎דבר‎ ‎׳‎‎היפלא מי‎ Gen 18:14 compare Jer 32:17; Jer 32:27 ‎לא ֗֗֗ דבר‎ nothing 1Kgs 5:7*; 1Kgs 10:3; + (frequent), ‎אין דבר‎ Exod 5:11 (E) Num 20:19; 1Sam 20:21 ‎׳‎‎לא דבר מ‎ nothing of Exod 9:4 (J) Josh 8:35; Josh 11:15; Josh 21:45; Josh 23:14 (D); ‎כל דבר‎ anything Num 31:23; Deut 23:20* +; ‎דבר רע‎ Ps 141:4 +; ‎טוב‎ ‎׳‎‎ד‎ 1Kgs 14:13 +; ‎דְּבַרמָֿה‎ whatsoever Num 23:3 (E); ‎עֶרְוַת דבר‎ Deut 23:15* naked-ness of a thing, i.e. unclean or unseemly thing (indecency in camp); so of a wife Deut 24:1.

7. way, manner: ‎זֶה דְּבַר הַשְּׁמִטָּה‎ this is the manner of the release Deut 15:2 (compare SI¹); ‎כֵּן דְּבַר‎ ‎הַמֶּלֶךְ‎ so was the way of the king Esth 1:13 ‎הזה כדבר‎ after this manner, thus Gen 18:25; Gen 32:20*; Gen 44:7 (JE) 2Sam 15:6; Ezra 10:5; Neh 5:12; Neh 5:13 with (‎עשׂה‎), 1Sam 9:21; 2Sam 14:3; 2Sam 17:6 (‎דבר‎), 1Sam 17:27; 1Sam 17:30; Isa 8:20 (‎אמר‎), Neh 6:4; Neh 6:5 (‎שׁלח‎), Neh 6:4 (‎השׁיב‎) compare 1Sam 17:30; 2Kgs 7:19 (‎היה‎) (peculiar to D, ‎כדבר הרע הזה‎ such a wicked deed as this Deut 13:12*; Deut 19:20, ‎כדבר הגדול הזה‎ Deut 4:32); ‎כדברים האלה עשׂה‎ thus and thus did he Gen 39:19 (J) 1Sam 2:23 (but usually the plural = these words).

8. reason, cause: ‎זֶּה דְבַרהַֿמַּס‎ 1Kgs 9:15 ‎זה הדבר‎ ‎אשׁר‎ this is the reason why Josh 5:4 (D) 1Kgs 11:27 so 1Sam 17:29 AV RV, was it not but a word ? Th Ke RVm VB Dr; ‎עַל דְּבַר ֗֗֗ ‎ because of, for the sake of Gen 20:11; Gen 20:18 (E) Gen 12:17; Gen 43:18; Exod 8:8* (J) Num 17:14* (P) Ps 45:5*; Ps 79:9, ‎עַל דִּבְרֵי‎ Jer 14:1 ‎עַלדִּֿבְרֵיכֶם‎ for your sakes Deut 4:21, ‎עַל דְּבַר אשׁר‎ Deut 22:24 (twice in verse); Deut 23:5*; 2Sam 13:22.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References