Lexical Summary kebar: Already, long ago Original Word: כְּבָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance already, seeing that which, now From kabar; properly, extent of time, i.e. A great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto -- already, (seeing that which), now. see HEBREW kabar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kabar Definition already NASB Translation already (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. כְּבָר adverb (late) already (frequently in Mishna and Late Hebrew; ᵑ7 כבר (rare); Syriac  usually perhaps, occas. already (Matthew 11:21; Hebrews 10:2); Mandean כבאר already, NöM. p. 202. Der. uncertain, connection with √ כבר being dubious) — already, Ecclesiastes 1:10 כְּבָר הָיָה it hath already been, Ecclesiastes 2:12,16; Ecclesiastes 3:15 (twice in verse); Ecclesiastes 4:2; Ecclesiastes 6:10; Ecclesiastes 9:6,7. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuanced Sense The term conveys the idea of something that has taken place beforehand—“already,” “long ago,” “formerly.” It marks an event or condition as completed prior to the present moment and frequently underscores inevitability or predetermination. Concentration in Ecclesiastes Every biblical occurrence (nine in total) is in Ecclesiastes, giving the book a unique rhetorical flavor. Qoheleth uses the word to strip away the illusion of novelty and to highlight God’s sovereign ordering of time. 1. Ecclesiastes 1:10 – Nothing truly new “has already existed in the ages before us.” Literary Function in Wisdom Discourse By repeating the word, the author underscores a cyclical worldview: human achievements, emotions, reputations, and even apparent innovations are merely reappearances of what God has long set in place. This rhetorical device builds the refrain “under the sun,” driving readers to look beyond temporal cycles toward divine transcendence. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty. Ecclesiastes 3:15 links the recurring past to God’s governance: He “will call to account” everything that seems irretrievably bygone. Historical Background In Ancient Near Eastern thought, the naming of a thing (Ecclesiastes 6:10) established its essence and destiny. Qoheleth’s assertion that everything “was named long ago” aligns with this cultural notion while elevating it to a theological absolute: the Creator fixed identities and events before human awareness. Ministry Applications • Preaching on Contentment: Ecclesiastes 9:7 invites believers to celebrate daily provisions, recognizing that God’s prior approval liberates them from perfectionism. Christological and Eschatological Echoes The motif of what is “already” accomplished finds its ultimate resolution in the cross, where salvation was secured once for all (compare John 19:30). Just as Ecclesiastes points to God’s prior approval, the New Testament proclaims believers “already” justified while anticipating full redemption. Thus the ancient adverb becomes a bridge between temporal wisdom and eternal hope. Summary Strong’s 3528 כְּבָר threads through Ecclesiastes to expose the limitations of life “under the sun” and to magnify the timeless rule of God. Far from breeding cynicism, this recognition invites humble trust, joyful obedience, and confident expectation grounded in what the Lord has long decreed and already accomplished. Forms and Transliterations בְּשֶׁכְּבָ֞ר בשכבר כְּבָ֖ר כְּבָ֣ר כְּבָר֙ כְבָ֔ר כבר שֶׁכְּבָ֣ר שכבר bə·šek·kə·ḇār bəšekkəḇār beshekkeVar cheVar kə·ḇār ḵə·ḇār kəḇār ḵəḇār keVar šek·kə·ḇār šekkəḇār shekkeVarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 1:10 HEB: חָדָ֣שׁ ה֑וּא כְּבָר֙ הָיָ֣ה לְעֹֽלָמִ֔ים NAS: it is new ? Already it has existed KJV: this [is] new? it hath been already of old time, INT: fresh he already has existed ages Ecclesiastes 2:12 Ecclesiastes 2:16 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 4:2 Ecclesiastes 6:10 Ecclesiastes 9:6 Ecclesiastes 9:7 9 Occurrences |
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