Lexical Summary gebar: men, certain, man Original Word: גְּבַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance certain, man (Aramaic) corresponding to gbar -- certain, man. see HEBREW gbar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to geber Definition man NASB Translation certain (3), man (2), men (15), people (1). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of Usage Strong’s Hebrew 1400 (גְּבַר) appears twenty-one times, all in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel. The term denotes a “man” with an implied sense of strength, competence, or distinction. Context decides whether the reference is positive (a man of integrity) or negative (plotters against God’s people). Occurrences in Ezra: Men Opposing and Aiding the Temple Work 1. Ezra 4:21 – Artaxerxes commands provincial officials to “stop these men” whose rebuilding work seems subversive. גְּבַר marks them out as capable, organized workers whom pagan authority deems threatening. Occurrences in Daniel: Men of Faith Versus Men of Opposition 1. Daniel 2:25 – Arioch introduces Daniel as “a man among the exiles from Judah” who will reveal the dream. גְּבַר sets Daniel apart from magicians who had failed, illustrating that spiritual insight, not worldly training, qualifies a servant of God. Historical Significance גְּבַר is confined to sixth- and fifth-century Aramaic texts, linking it to the exile and post-exilic periods when God’s people lived under foreign rule. Whether in Babylonian courts or Persian provinces, the word captures the tension between human authority and divine purpose. Faithful men thrive under pagan regimes not because of political leverage but because “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes” (Daniel 4:17). Theological Reflections: Human Agency under Divine Sovereignty 1. Individual responsibility — Every occurrence involves personal accountability: Daniel must interpret, the builders must answer inquiries, conspirators must face judgment. Ministry Implications: Portrait of Godly Manhood • Courage to dissent: “These men have paid no heed to you, O king” (Daniel 3:12). Faith may require public non-compliance when commands violate worship. Christological Foreshadowing The fourth figure “like a son of the gods” walking with “the three men” in the furnace (Daniel 3:25) anticipates the incarnate Son who identifies with His people in suffering, ensuring that “not a hair of their heads was singed” (3:27). Thus גְּבַר scenes ultimately point to the true Man, Jesus Christ, whose presence secures salvation. Summary Strong’s 1400 illustrates how real men—named and unnamed—intersect with divine plans during critical redemptive-historical moments. Whether building a temple, interpreting dreams, standing in fire, or facing lions, each גְּבַר narrative confirms that God equips and preserves His servants while overturning the schemes of ungodly men, thereby magnifying His sovereignty and faithfulness throughout Scripture. Forms and Transliterations גְּבַ֜ר גְּבַר֙ גֻּבְרִ֣ין גֻּבְרַיָּ֔א גֻּבְרַיָּ֖א גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א גֻּבְרַיָּ֤א גֻבְרִ֨ין גבר גבריא גברין וְגֻבְרַיָּ֤א וּלְגֻבְרִ֤ין וגבריא ולגברין לְגֻבְרַיָּ֣א לְגֻבְרַיָּ֥א לגבריא guḇ·ray·yā guḇ·rîn ḡuḇ·rîn guḇrayyā guḇrîn ḡuḇrîn guvraiYa guvRin lə·ḡuḇ·ray·yā ləḡuḇrayyā leguvraiYa ū·lə·ḡuḇ·rîn ūləḡuḇrîn uleguvRin veguvraiYa wə·ḡuḇ·ray·yā wəḡuḇrayyāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:21 HEB: טְּעֵ֔ם לְבַטָּלָ֖א גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א אִלֵּ֑ךְ וְקִרְיְתָ֥א NAS: to make these men stop KJV: these men to cease, INT: A decree stop men these city Ezra 5:4 Ezra 5:10 Ezra 6:8 Daniel 2:25 Daniel 3:8 Daniel 3:12 Daniel 3:12 Daniel 3:13 Daniel 3:20 Daniel 3:21 Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:23 Daniel 3:24 Daniel 3:25 Daniel 3:27 Daniel 5:11 Daniel 6:5 Daniel 6:11 Daniel 6:15 Daniel 6:24 21 Occurrences |
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