Lexical Summary abarah: Wrath, Outburst, Overflowing Anger Original Word: עֲבָרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ferry, plain From abar; a crossing-place -- ferry, plain (from the margin). see HEBREW abar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abar Definition ford NASB Translation ford (1), fords (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲבָרָה noun feminine ford, rare synonym of מַעֲבָר מַעְבָּרָה; — absolute ׳הָע 2 Samuel 19:19 and they crossed the ford (see עבר Qal 1 a); plural construct עַברוֺת הַמִּדְבָּר 2 Samuel 15:28 Kt (Qr עַרְבוֺת), so 2 Samuel 17:16 van d. H. (but Baer Ginsb עַרְבוֺת Kt also), ׳עַב preferable (so Th We Dr Bu Kit Löhr HPS), the fords of the desert (HPS 2 Samuel 17:16 proper name). Topical Lexicon Semantic and Symbolic Range The term denotes a shallow crossing point in a river—a ford—where travelers, armies, and refugees may pass from one side to the other. In biblical thought a ford is more than a geographical feature; it becomes a threshold of decision, peril, and divine intervention, where God’s purposes progress from one stage to the next. Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Samuel 15:28 “See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Though attested only twice with this specific form, the idea of a ford permeates Scripture (for example, Genesis 32:22; Joshua 2:7; Judges 3:28; Judges 7:24), supplying a rich backdrop for these Davidic narratives. Historical Setting 1. Flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15). David, betrayed by his son, retreats eastward toward the Jordan’s wilderness fords. The location offers tactical safety and communication lines back to Jerusalem through Zadok and Abiathar. The ford thus functions as a lifeline binding the exiled king to the ark-bearing priests and, by extension, to the covenant presence of God. Theological Themes Transition under Providence: Each occurrence marks a decisive hinge in redemptive history. David moves from kingdom to exile and back to kingdom, yet God’s sovereign plan advances uninterrupted. Covenant Fidelity: The priests’ presence at the ford and the willingness of the people to escort David back highlight human participation in God’s covenant maintenance. Judgment and Mercy: The ford becomes a threshold where enemies are exposed (Absalom) and penitents receive mercy (Shimei in 2 Samuel 19:18–23). Foreshadowing and Typology The Jordan ford prefigures later crossings—most notably the baptismal waters where Jesus publicly identifies with His people (Matthew 3:13-17). As David re-enters his realm through a ford, the Son of David inaugurates His public ministry in the same river, signaling the dawning of the ultimate Kingdom. Practical Ministry Applications • Leadership in Crisis: David’s calm directive at the ford models strategic faith when circumstances overturn expectations. Intertextual Echoes Crossings at waters punctuate Scripture—from the Red Sea (Exodus 14) to the final river of life (Revelation 22). Each scene testifies that God brings His people through obstacles by means of His presence and promise. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5679, while a simple geographic term, anchors pivotal moments of Israel’s monarchy and offers enduring paradigms of divine guidance, covenant loyalty, and transformative passage for the people of God. Forms and Transliterations בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ות בערבות הָעֲבָרָ֗ה העברה bə‘arḇōwṯ bə·‘ar·ḇō·wṯ bearVot hā‘ăḇārāh hā·‘ă·ḇā·rāh haavaRahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 15:28 HEB: [בְּעַבְרֹות כ] (בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ות ק) הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר NAS: I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness INT: I to wait ferry of the wilderness until 2 Samuel 19:18 2 Occurrences |
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