ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA HEBREA
Dabar — Word, Matter, and Cause
Dabar primarily means a word or speech, but context can extend it to a matter, event, thing, or reason.
Significado de la palabra
Dabar (דָּבָר, dâbâr) denotes a word, speaking, or something communicated. It can refer to an individual message, as when “the word of Jehovah” came to Abram in Genesis 15:1 and Genesis 15:4.
By implication, the term can mean a matter, thing, event, or cause. Genesis 12:17 calls the judgments against Pharaoh “because of” Sarai, while Genesis 20:8 and Genesis 20:10 describe matters or things that were reported and done.
The KJV usage list shows that dabar may express not only spoken words but also commands, counsel, promises, reports, deeds, judgments, and purposes. The surrounding context determines which sense is intended.
Uso en las Escrituras
In Genesis 11:1, dabar is associated with language and speech, while Genesis 15:1 and 15:4 present a divine word communicated in a vision. In Genesis 20:8, it describes “all these things” told to servants; in Genesis 20:10, it marks the act Abraham had done.
The examples also show the extended sense of a matter or event: Genesis 18:25 speaks of doing “this thing,” and Genesis 19:21 refers to “this thing” concerning which Lot spoke. Genesis 18:14 and 19:22 use forms glossed as “anything,” illustrating the expression of possibility in questions and negative statements.
La palabra en detalle
- H1697 The supplied lexicon defines dabar as “a word”; by implication it can denote a spoken matter or thing, and adverbially a cause. Its broad range is reflected in KJV glosses such as word, thing, matter, cause, message, promise, and report.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Genesis 11:1 Here dabar is glossed “words” in the description of one language and one speech across the earth.
- Genesis 15:1 The phrase “the word of Jehovah” presents dabar as a divine communication addressed to Abram.
- Genesis 18:25 Here dabar is rendered “thing,” referring to the proposed manner of dealing with the righteous and the wicked.
- Genesis 20:10 The question asks about the “thing” Abraham had done, using dabar for the matter under discussion.
Preguntas frecuentes
What does Hebrew dabar mean?
Its primary sense is a word or speech. By implication, it can also mean a matter, thing, event, or cause, depending on context.
How is dabar used in Genesis 15:1 and 15:4?
In both verses, it appears in the phrase “the word of Jehovah,” referring to a divine message communicated to Abram.
Does dabar always mean a spoken word?
No. Although “word” is the basic meaning, the examples also use it for a thing, matter, event, report, or reason.