Lexical Summary gibbor: Mighty, strong, warrior, hero Original Word: גִּבּוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance champion, chief, excel, giant, man, mighty man, one, strong man, Or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same as geber; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant -- champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. see HEBREW geber NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gabar Definition strong, mighty NASB Translation champion (2), great (1), helpers (1), heroes (3), men (3), men of outstanding (1), Mighty (1), mighty (27), mighty man (15), mighty men (57), Mighty One (1), mighty one (2), mighty ones (3), mighty warrior (1), mighty warriors (2), strong (1), strong man (1), valiant warriors (1), valiant* (1), warrior (14), warrior has over another (1), warrior's (1), warriors (17), who is mighty (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּבּוֺר159 adjective strong, mighty (compare Arabic  one who magnifies himself, behaves proudly, a tyrant, who is bold, audacious) — Genesis 10:9 5t.; גִּבֹּר Genesis 10:8 2t.; גִּבּוֺרָם 1 Samuel 17:51; plural גִּבּוֺרִים Jeremiah 46:9 27t.; גִּבֹּרִים Joshua 10:2 21t.; construct גִּבּוֺרֵי 1 Chronicles 11:27 29t.; גִּבֹּרֵי 1 Chronicles 9:26 4t.; suffix גִּבּוֺרֶיךָ Hosea 10:13 + (variant reading suffixes 11 t.); — 1. adjective גִּבּוֺר בַּבְּהֵמָה mightiest among beasts Proverbs 30:30; אִישׁ גִּבּוֺר 1 Samuel 14:52; גִּבּוֺר בָּאָרֶץ Psalm 112:2; גִּבּוֺר צַיִד mighty in hunting Genesis 10:9 (J); מלך גבור Daniel 11:3; אֵל גִּבּוֺר the Messiah Isaiah 9:5; attribute of God especially as fighting for his people Psalm 24:8 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 9:32; Isaiah 10:21; Jeremiah 32:18 (compare Arabic 2. noun masculine strong, valiant man Joshua 10:2 (E) Genesis 6:4; Genesis 10:8(J) Judges 5:13,23; 1 Samuel 2:4 16t. 1 Kings 1:8,10; 2 Kings 24:16; 1 Chronicles 1:10 11t. Ezra 7:28; Job 16:14; Psalm 19:6; Psalm 33:16; Psalm 45:4; Psalm 52:3; Psalm 78:65; Psalm 89:20; Psalm 120:4; Psalm 127:4; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 21:22; Songs 3:7 (twice in verse); Songs 4:4; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Isaiah 3:2; Isaiah 13:3; Isaiah 21:17; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 49:24,25; Jeremiah 5:16 17t. Ezekiel 32:12 5t. Hosea 10:13; Joel 2:7; Joel 4:9; Joel 4:10; Joel 4:11; Amos 2:14,16; Obadiah 9; Nahum 2:4; Zephaniah 1:14; Zephaniah 3:17; Zechariah 9:13; Zechariah 10:5,7; compare phrases גִּבּוֺר חיל mighty man of valour Judges 6:12; Judges 11:1; 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 16:18; 1 Kings 11:28; 2 Kings 5:1 (וְהָאִישׁ הָיָה גִּבּוֺר חַיִל מְצֹרָ֑ע so ᵐ5 and others; but ᵐ5L ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἦν λεπός, compare also Klo's dubious emendation), 1 Chronicles 12:28; 1 Chronicles 28:1; 2Chronicles 13:3; 17:16,17; 25:6; 32:21; אישׁ גבור חיל Ruth 2:1; גבורי החיל Joshua 1:14 (D) Joshua 6:2; Joshua 10:7 (JE) 2 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 24:14; אישׁ גבורי החיל Joshua 8:3; גברי חיל 1 Chronicles 5:24 14t. Nehemiah 11:14; גבורי חילים 1 Chronicles 7:5,7,11,40; גבורי החילים 1 Chronicles 11:26; גברי כח Psalm 103:20; גבורי מלחמה2Chronicles 13:3; גברי השֹׁערים 1 Chronicles 9:26; בית הגבורים Nehemiah 3:16; (ה)צָבָא הגבורים 2 Samuel 10:7; 1 Chronicles 19:8; ראשׁי הגברים 1 Chronicles 11:10; גבורים לשׁתות valiant to drink Isaiah 5:22. Topical Lexicon Scope of the WordThe term denotes a person (or occasionally God Himself) characterized by superior strength, courage, capability and influence. While the majority of references are to military heroes, the word also embraces leaders of civic life, champions of justice, models of moral strength and, supremely, the LORD who saves. Earliest Appearances Genesis introduces the vocabulary of might in the primeval history. Nimrod is “a mighty one on the earth” and “a mighty hunter before the LORD” (Genesis 10:8-9). Here the label foreshadows the emergence of influential empire-builders, affirming that human prowess does not escape divine scrutiny. The term recurs in Genesis 6:4 to describe the renowned men of the antediluvian era, underlining that extraordinary strength offers no protection from judgment when divorced from righteousness. Military Valor and National Security From Exodus through the historical books the word predominantly identifies warriors vital to Israel’s survival. The Song of the Sea praises the LORD who “has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will exalt Him” and who overthrows Pharaoh’s chariots and “his mighty officers” (Exodus 15:2-4). Joshua relies on “valiant warriors” (Joshua 1:14) to occupy the land, and Judges records both deliverers raised up by God and oppressors who boast human strength. Gideon’s call—“The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12)—illustrates how divine commissioning transforms an insecure farmer into a deliverer. David and His Mighty Men 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles give the richest narrative treatment. The “mighty men” (gibborim) constitute an elite corps whose courageous exploits secure David’s throne (2 Samuel 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47). Individual feats—striking down Philistines single-handedly, defending barley fields, slaying lion-like men of Moab—are celebrated to show that covenant faith fuels heroism. Their loyalty models sacrificial commitment to God’s anointed king, foreshadowing devotion owed to the greater Son of David. Kings, Nobles and Administrators Beyond the battlefield the term marks influential leaders. Boaz is introduced as “a man of standing” (Ruth 2:1), whose wealth and integrity prefigure kinsman-redeemer ministry. In 2 Kings 5:1 Naaman is “commander of the army … a great man … a valiant warrior,” yet in need of cleansing—demonstrating that earthly power is limited without spiritual renewal. Proverbs connects might with social justice: “Do not rob the poor because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted in court, for the LORD will plead their case and rob of life those who rob them” (Proverbs 22:22-23), implicitly warning powerful men to exercise strength righteously. Yahweh the Warrior Human valor derives from and is judged by the divine archetype. “The LORD is a warrior” (Exodus 15:3). The Psalms repeatedly declare, “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8). Isaiah broadens the concept: “The LORD will go forth like a mighty warrior; He will rouse His zeal like a man of war” (Isaiah 42:13). The imagery comforts the oppressed and threatens the wicked, assuring readers that history is steered by omnipotent righteousness. Messianic Fulfillment Isaiah 9:6 assigns the title “Mighty God” (El Gibbor) to the coming royal Son, harmonizing divine strength with incarnate ministry. Jeremiah 32:18 affirms, “the Great and Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of Hosts,” coupling covenant love with warrior authority. Revelation echoes the theme when Christ returns as conquering King (Revelation 19:11-16), bringing the hope of every Old Testament warrior to consummation. Spiritual and Ethical Dimensions The prophets indict societies whose “mighty men” misuse power. Isaiah 5:22 pronounces woe on those who are “heroes at drinking wine,” exposing moral decay behind superficial strength. Micah laments national collapse when “the best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge” (Micah 7:4). True might is redefined as reliance upon God: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). New Testament Echoes Though the Hebrew term does not reappear linguistically, its theology underlies the teaching that believers wage spiritual warfare. Paul urges, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). The ideal of the valiant warrior is transferred to the whole church, now armed with gospel truth. Ministry Implications 1. Leadership: Scripture commends strength expressed in humble service. Pastors and elders are called to courageous fidelity, protecting the flock as David’s men protected their king. Summary From Genesis to the Prophets the concept encapsulates human prowess, royal legitimacy and divine omnipotence. Perfectly embodied in the Messiah and extended to His people through the Spirit, true might consists of faith-fueled courage, righteous stewardship of power and unwavering trust in the LORD of Hosts. Forms and Transliterations בְּגִבּוֹר֙ בַּגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים בַּגִּבּוֹרִ֔ים בַּגִּבּוֹרִֽים׃ בגבור בגבורים בגבורים׃ גִּ֝בּ֗וֹר גִּ֭בֹּרִים גִּבֹּ֖ר גִּבֹּ֣רֵי גִּבֹּרִ֖ים גִּבֹּרִֽים׃ גִּבֹּרֵ֜יהוּ גִּבֹּרֵ֣י גִּבֹּרֵי־ גִּבּ֑וֹר גִּבּ֔וֹר גִּבּ֖וֹר גִּבּ֣וֹר גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי גִּבּ֤וֹרֵי גִּבּ֥וֹר גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי גִּבּֽוֹר׃ גִּבּוֹר֙ גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים גִּבּוֹרִֽים׃ גִּבּוֹרִים֙ גִּבּוֹרֵ֖י גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י גִּבּוֹרֵ֤י גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י גִּבּוֹרֶ֔יהָ גִּבּוֹרֶ֖יהָ גִּבּוֹרֶֽיךָ׃ גִּבּוֹרָ֖ם גִּבּוֹרָ֤יו גִבֹּֽר־ גִבֹּרִ֔ים גִבֹּרִ֣ים גִבּ֣וֹר גִבּ֤וֹר גִבּ֥וֹרֵי גִבּוֹר֙ גִבּוֹרִ֔ים גִבּוֹרִ֛ים גִבּוֹרִֽים׃ גִבּוֹרֵ֨י גִבּוֹרֶ֖יךָ גִבּוֹרַי֙ גבור גבור׃ גבורי גבוריה גבוריו גבוריך גבוריך׃ גבורים גבורים׃ גבורם גבר גבר־ גברי גברי־ גבריהו גברים גברים׃ הַגִּבֹּר֙ הַגִּבֹּרִ֑ים הַגִּבֹּרִ֔ים הַגִּבֹּרִ֖ים הַגִּבֹּרִ֛ים הַגִּבֹּרִ֜ים הַגִּבֹּרִֽים׃ הַגִּבּ֑וֹר הַגִּבּ֔וֹר הַגִּבּ֖וֹר הַגִּבּ֣וֹר הַגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים הַגִּבּוֹרִ֔ים הַגִּבּוֹרִ֛ים הַגִּבּוֹרִֽים׃ הַגִּבּוֹרִים֙ הַגִּבֹּרִ֜ים הגבור הגבורים הגבורים׃ הגבר הגברים הגברים׃ וְגִבֹּרָ֔יו וְגִבּ֑וֹר וְגִבּ֖וֹר וְגִבּ֨וֹר וְגִבּוֹרֵ֖י וְגִבּוֹרֵיהֶ֣ם וְגִבּוֹרֶ֔יהָ וְהַגִּבֹּרִ֔ים וְהַגִּבּוֹרִ֖ים וְהַגִּבּוֹרִ֛ים וגבור וגבורי וגבוריה וגבוריהם וגבריו והגבורים והגברים כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר כְּגִבּ֖וֹר כְּגִבּ֣וֹר כְּגִבּֽוֹר׃ כְּגִבּוֹרִ֣ים כְגִבֹּרִ֜ים כְגִבּוֹר֙ כַּגִּבּ֣וֹר כגבור כגבור׃ כגבורים כגברים לְגִבּ֣וֹרֵי לַגִּבּוֹרִ֣ים לגבורי לגבורים מִגִּבֹּרֵ֖י מִגִּבּ֑וֹר מִגִּבּ֖וֹר מגבור מגברי bag·gib·bō·w·rîm baggibboRim baggibbōwrîm bə·ḡib·bō·wr begibbOr bəḡibbōwr chegibbOr chegibboRim gib·bō·rê gib·bō·rê- gib·bō·rê·hū gib·bō·rîm ḡib·bō·rîm gib·bō·w·rām gib·bō·w·rāw ḡib·bō·w·ray gib·bō·w·rê ḡib·bō·w·rê gib·bō·w·re·hā gib·bō·w·re·ḵā ḡib·bō·w·re·ḵā gib·bō·w·rîm ḡib·bō·w·rîm gib·bō·wr ḡib·bō·wr gib·bōr ḡib·bōr- gibBor gibbōr ḡibbōr- gibboRai gibboRam gibboRav gibbōrê gibbōrê- gibbōrêhū gibboRei gibboReicha gibboReiha gibboReihu gibboRim gibbōrîm ḡibbōrîm gibbōwr ḡibbōwr gibbōwrām gibbōwrāw ḡibbōwray gibbōwrê ḡibbōwrê gibbōwrehā gibbōwreḵā ḡibbōwreḵā gibbōwrîm ḡibbōwrîm hag·gib·bō·rîm hag·gib·bō·w·rîm hag·gib·bō·wr hag·gib·bōr haggibBor haggibbōr haggibboRim haggibbōrîm haggibbōwr haggibbōwrîm kag·gib·bō·wr kaggibBor kaggibbōwr ḵə·ḡib·bō·rîm kə·ḡib·bō·w·rîm kə·ḡib·bō·wr ḵə·ḡib·bō·wr kegibBor kegibboRim ḵəḡibbōrîm kəḡibbōwr ḵəḡibbōwr kəḡibbōwrîm lag·gib·bō·w·rîm laggibboRim laggibbōwrîm lə·ḡib·bō·w·rê legibBorei ləḡibbōwrê mig·gib·bō·rê mig·gib·bō·wr miggibBor miggibbōrê miggibboRei miggibbōwr vegibBor vegibboRav vegibboRei vegibboReiha vegibboreiHem vehaggibboRim wə·ḡib·bō·rāw wə·ḡib·bō·w·rê wə·ḡib·bō·w·re·hā wə·ḡib·bō·w·rê·hem wə·ḡib·bō·wr wə·hag·gib·bō·rîm wə·hag·gib·bō·w·rîm wəḡibbōrāw wəḡibbōwr wəḡibbōwrê wəḡibbōwrehā wəḡibbōwrêhem wəhaggibbōrîm wəhaggibbōwrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 6:4 HEB: לָהֶ֑ם הֵ֧מָּה הַגִּבֹּרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵעוֹלָ֖ם NAS: [children] to them. Those were the mighty men who KJV: [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, INT: bore Those were the mighty who old Genesis 10:8 Genesis 10:9 Genesis 10:9 Deuteronomy 10:17 Joshua 1:14 Joshua 6:2 Joshua 8:3 Joshua 10:2 Joshua 10:7 Judges 5:13 Judges 5:23 Judges 6:12 Judges 11:1 Ruth 2:1 1 Samuel 2:4 1 Samuel 9:1 1 Samuel 14:52 1 Samuel 16:18 1 Samuel 17:51 2 Samuel 1:19 2 Samuel 1:21 2 Samuel 1:22 2 Samuel 1:25 2 Samuel 1:27 159 Occurrences |
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