Lexical Summary Yibchar: Yibchar Original Word: יָבְחַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ibhar From bachar; choice; Jibchar, an Israelite -- Ibhar. see HEBREW bachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bachar Definition "He chooses," a son of David NASB Translation Ibhar (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs יִבְחָר proper name, masculine (He (El or ׳י) chooses) son of David 2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:6; 1 Chronicles 14:5. Topical Lexicon Identity and Genealogical Placement Ibhar appears among the sons born to King David after the conquest of Jerusalem. In 2 Samuel David’s first four Jerusalem–born sons are linked to Bathsheba, but 1 Chronicles distinguishes the line by naming Bathshua (Bathsheba) only for the first four and then listing Ibhar separately (1 Chronicles 3:5-6). This separation implies that Ibhar’s mother was one of David’s other wives. His placement in the catalogues—immediately after Solomon and before Elishua—shows that he belonged to the early years of David’s consolidated reign. Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Samuel 5:15 In each record the text simply names him without additional narrative, locating him within David’s household in Jerusalem. Historical Context David’s relocation of the ark and his establishment of Jerusalem as both political and cultic center marked a fresh stage in Israel’s history. The birth records that include Ibhar underline the stability, prosperity, and dynastic expansion associated with that stage. They also witness to David’s polygamy, a practice tolerated in the ancient Near East but expressly warned against for kings in Deuteronomy 17:17. The enumeration of sons thus sets the backdrop for later family strife, reminding readers that even blessed rulers carry the seeds of future conflict. Theological Significance Ibhar’s name, meaning “He chooses,” echoes a recurring biblical theme: the sovereign choice of God. Though Ibhar himself does not occupy the spotlight, his name in the covenantal dynasty list reinforces the idea that every birth in David’s house bears significance for the unfolding purposes of God. The promise in 2 Samuel 7 that David would never lack a man on the throne depended on God’s electing grace, not on human merit; even the relatively obscure sons illustrate that gracious enlargement. Comparative Textual Notes Chronicles revises Samuel’s son-lists to emphasize temple-centered worship and priestly lineage upon Judah’s return from exile. In that setting Ibhar’s inclusion serves as a historical anchor for post-exilic readers, assuring them that their restored community still stands within the authentic Davidic genealogy. The chronicler’s reiteration of sons also highlights God’s preservation of the royal line despite exile and political upheaval. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Uncelebrated faithfulness: Ibhar never re-enters the narrative, but his quiet presence in the genealogies reminds modern believers that faithful obscurity has a place in the divine story. Intertextual Connections The covenant formula “the place the LORD your God will choose” (for example, Deuteronomy 12:5) resonates with Ibhar’s very name. His birth in Jerusalem—the city God would ultimately “choose” for His dwelling—embodies the movement from tribal era to centralized worship and, ultimately, to the incarnation of the true Son of David. Forms and Transliterations וְיִבְחָ֥ר ויבחר veyivChar wə·yiḇ·ḥār wəyiḇḥārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 5:15 HEB: וְיִבְחָ֥ר וֶאֱלִישׁ֖וּעַ וְנֶ֥פֶג NAS: Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, KJV: Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, INT: Ibhar Elishua Nepheg 1 Chronicles 3:6 1 Chronicles 14:5 3 Occurrences |
    |