Lexical Summary bariach: Bar, bolt, fugitive, serpent Original Word: בָּרִיחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance crooked, noble, piercing Or (shortened) bariach {baw-ree'-akh}; from barach; a fugitive, i.e. The serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name -- crooked, noble, piercing. see HEBREW barach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadjective from barach Definition fleeing NASB Translation fleeing (2), fugitives (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [בָּרִיחַ] adjective fleeing ( = בַּרִּיחַ ֗֗֗ ) נָחָשׁ בִָּרחַ׃ Job 26:13 of eclipse-dragon, לִוְיָתָן נָחָשׁ בָרִחַ Isaiah 27:1 (probably figurative of Assyrians); as substantive בָּרִיחִים Isaiah 43:14 as fugitives (for other views compare Comm.); so probably also Isaiah 15:5 בריחיה, see בְּרִיחַ. Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope The term conveys the idea of one who escapes or glides away with speed, evoking both the literal act of flight and the figurative sense of evasion before divine judgment. Its nuance of restlessness and inability to withstand the hand of the Lord shapes each occurrence. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Job 26:13 – “By His breath the skies were cleared; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.” Literary and Historical Context • Job places the word in a hymn on God’s creative power: the most formidable creature is still “fleeing” before His hand. Leviathan and the Serpent Motif The repetition of “the fleeing serpent” for Leviathan links the dragon of ancient myth with the real spiritual adversary behind human oppression. The imagery recalls Genesis 3 and anticipates Revelation 20:2 where “that ancient serpent” is finally restrained. God’s triumph over the serpent in Job and Isaiah provides a narrative arc that spans the canon, underscoring His unchallenged sovereignty. Judgment of Arrogant Powers In Isaiah 43:14 the word shifts from mythic beast to historical empire. Babylon, like Leviathan, becomes a “fugitive.” The same verb for the cosmic adversary now brands an earthly aggressor, teaching that every proud power eventually mirrors the serpent it serves and meets the same fate. Theological Emphases • God alone confronts forces no human can master, whether cosmic chaos, systemic oppression, or personal bondage. Typological and Christological Implications The pierced serpent in Job foreshadows the crucifixion where the Prince of this world is judged (John 12:31). Isaiah’s vision of Leviathan’s demise anticipates the final victory secured in Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Babylon’s collapse prefigures the downfall of every antichrist system. Thus the word gestures toward the cross and the consummation, anchoring hope in the One who “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). Pastoral and Ministry Application • Encouragement in Spiritual Warfare: Believers engage foes already branded as fugitives; resistance stands on Christ’s triumph, not human strength. Conclusion Across Wisdom literature and Prophetic oracle, בָּרִיחַ paints a vivid picture of adversaries in retreat before the Creator-Redeemer. Its sparse appearances concentrate a robust theology: the Lord’s supremacy over chaos, history, and destiny; His commitment to deliver His people; and the ultimate futility of all powers that resist Him. Forms and Transliterations בָּרִ֔חַ בָּרִֽיחַ׃ בָֽרִיחִים֙ ברח בריח׃ בריחים bā·ri·aḥ bā·rî·aḥ ḇā·rî·ḥîm baRiach bāriaḥ bārîaḥ ḇārîḥîm variChimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 26:13 HEB: יָ֝ד֗וֹ נָחָ֥שׁ בָּרִֽיחַ׃ NAS: has pierced the fleeing serpent. KJV: hath formed the crooked serpent. INT: his hand serpent the fleeing Isaiah 27:1 Isaiah 43:14 3 Occurrences |
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