Lexical Summary baar: To burn, consume, remove, be senseless, brutish Original Word: בָּאַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance declare, make plainly A primitive root; to dig; by analogy, to engrave; figuratively, to explain -- declare, (make) plain(-ly). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to make distinct or plain NASB Translation distinctly (1), expound (1), inscribe (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [באר] verb only Pi`el make distinct, plain (so Late Hebrew, Aramaic; LagBN 58 proposes for Qal בָּאֵר, בָּאֹר, compare derivatives below; Thes & most compare Arabic Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular בֵּאֵר Deuteronomy 1:5, Imperative בָּאֵר Habakkuk 2:2; Infinitive absolute בַּאֵר Deuteronomy 27:8 (compare Bö§ 393, 4) — make distinct, plain, of letters on tablets Habakkuk 2:2 כְּתֹב חָזוֺן וּבָאֵר עַלֿ הַלֻּחוֺת לְמַעַן יָרוּץ קוֺרֵא בוֺ, i.e. so that one may run past and (still) read; or, so that one may read swiftly; on stones Deuteronomy 27:8 וְכָתַבְתָּ עַלֿ בַּאֵר הֵיטֵב .... הָאֲבָנִים and thou shalt write upon the [whitewashed] stones all the words of this law, doing it plainly and well; figurative explain, expound Deuteronomy 1:5 הוֺאִיל משֶׁה בֵּאֵר חַתּוֺרָה Moses began (and) expounded the law. Topical Lexicon Linguistic Range and Nuances בָּאַר (Strong’s 874) gathers the ideas of making something “bright, clear, distinct,” and by extension “explaining, expounding, or engraving plainly.” Whether spoken or written, the term stresses accessibility: every hearer or reader should be able to grasp what is communicated without ambiguity. Contexts of the Three Biblical Occurrences 1. Deuteronomy 1:5 – On the verge of crossing the Jordan, “Moses began to explain this law”. The great lawgiver rehearses and clarifies the covenant for a new generation, ensuring they enter the land with unmistakable understanding of Yahweh’s requirements and promises. Theology of Clarity in Divine Revelation These texts together illustrate a consistent biblical principle: God’s revelation is meant to be understood. The covenant is “explained,” the law is “written very clearly,” and the prophetic vision is “inscribed clearly.” Scripture claims not only inspiration but perspicuity—its essential message can be plainly apprehended by God’s people (cf. Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). בָּאַר therefore undergirds the doctrine that Scripture speaks with transparent authority, inviting obedience rather than speculation. Historical and Cultural Background Mount Ebal’s plastered stones (Deuteronomy 27) resemble ancient Near-Eastern boundary stelae or royal inscriptions that declared laws in the open air. Habakkuk’s tablets may evoke clay, wooden, or metal surfaces familiar to scribes, yet the imperative to make the writing “plain” indicates an alphabetic script large enough for quick reading. In both settings the societal norm was oral proclamation; written words served as fixed reference points against which all oral transmission could be checked. Ministerial Application: Preaching and Teaching Moses’ example legitimizes expository preaching that unfolds and applies God’s Word in detail. The command to Habakkuk validates written communication—sermons, catechisms, study notes—as means by which truth spreads “so that a herald may run.” Pastors and teachers are therefore called to labor for clarity, avoiding obscurity in language or doctrine (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:8-9). Intertextual Echoes and Canonical Significance The imperative to make revelation plain echoes in Proverbs 3:3 and Jeremiah 31:33, where divine words are written on the heart, and finds fulfillment in the new-covenant ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Jesus’ own exposition on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27, 45) models בָּאַר in practice, opening the Scriptures so that disciples’ hearts burn with understanding. Practical Implications for Discipleship and Mission 1. Translation and Literacy – Because God desires His Word to be plain, translating Scripture into the vernacular and promoting literacy serve the mission of the church. In all three appearances, בָּאַר portrays the gracious condescension of God who speaks so that His people may hear, understand, and live (Deuteronomy 32:47). Forms and Transliterations בֵּאֵ֛ר בַּאֵ֥ר באר וּבָאֵ֖ר ובאר ba’êr ba·’êr baEr bê’êr bê·’êr beEr ū·ḇā·’êr ūḇā’êr uvaErLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 1:5 HEB: הוֹאִ֣יל מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת־ הַתּוֹרָ֥ה NAS: Moses undertook to expound this law, KJV: Moses to declare this law, INT: undertook Moses to expound law likewise Deuteronomy 27:8 Habakkuk 2:2 3 Occurrences |
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dig a pit or well, but this probably denominative see Lagl.c.) —