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גִּבּוֹר

𐤂𐤁𐤅𐤓

gibbôwr

H1368 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root גבר to be strong, to prevail, to be mighty

Definition

A person possessing great strength or might, often a warrior or heroic figure distinguished by exceptional physical or valorous capabilities. The term denotes one who is mighty or valiant, and is frequently used to describe individuals renowned for courage, strength in battle, or prominent status among peers. In poetic or figurative contexts, it can also refer more abstractly to outstanding, distinguished, or supreme capability.

Semantic Range

mighty man, warrior, hero, champion, valiant person, prominent or outstanding figure, person of great strength or ability, term for God as 'Mighty One,' person of valor, person with superior capability, (rarely) tyrant or oppressor

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root גבר (g-b-r), which primarily means 'to be strong' or 'to be mighty.' The noun גִּבּוֹר intensifies this notion, denoting someone characterized by strength or heroism. While the verbal root focuses on the act of exerting power or prevailing, גִּבּוֹר denotes the person who embodies these qualities.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early Israelite narrative (e.g., Genesis 6:4), גִּבּוֹרִים (gibbôrīm) can denote extraordinary or legendary warriors, sometimes bordering on the semi-mythic (as with the Nephilim). In the monarchic period, the term is commonly applied to military elites or champions, such as King David’s 'mighty men' (2 Samuel 23). In wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs), it takes on a broader meaning of being strong or outstanding, not strictly martial. In poetic or metaphorical contexts, such as in Psalms or Isaiah, it can describe Davidic kings, angels, or even God (e.g., אֵל גִּבּוֹר, 'mighty God' in Isaiah 9:6), underscoring supremacy or unmatched power. The term is never exclusively military and can indicate general superiority, capability, or excellence. English translations with 'mighty man' or 'hero' capture parts of the meaning, but can obscure the term’s broader or metaphorical senses. Differing from גֶּבֶר (geber, 'man, adult male, sometimes strong man'), גִּבּוֹר conveys a specialized sense of proven might or valor and is often narrower in reference. The term's sense narrowed or became more honorific in post-exilic and later Jewish usage, sometimes being used for celebrated figures in legend or history.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or גִּבֹּר; (shortened) intensive from the same as גֶּבֶר; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant; champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גבר (g-b-r) — to be strong, to prevail, to be mighty

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1369 גְּבוּרָה in mighty strength
H1370 גְּבוּרָה and the might
H1376 גְּבִיר mighty master
H1377 גְּבִירָה the ruling lady
H1396 גָּבַר he prevailed

Word Forms

29 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1368-03 גִּבֹּ֖ר gibor HAamsa mighty mighty man 42
H1368-07 גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י giborey HAampc mighty men mighty ones of 32
H1368-14 הַ/גִּבֹּרִ֛ים hagiborim HTd/Aampa the mighty men the mighty ones 21
H1368-11 גִּבֹּרִֽים giborim HAampa mighty men mighty men 19
H1368-13 הַ/גִּבֹּר֙ hagibor HTd/Aamsa the mighty the mighty one 6
H1368-16 כְּ/גִבּ֖וֹר kegibor HR/Aamsa like a mighty man like a mighty warrior 6
H1368-01 בַּ/גִּבּוֹרִֽים bagiborim HRd/Aampa against the mighty the mighty ones 4
H1368-29 וְ/הַ/גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים vehagiborim HC/Td/Aampa and the mighty men and the mighty ones 3
H1368-10 גִּבּוֹרֶֽי/ךָ giboreykha HAampc/Sp2ms of your mighty men your mighty ones 3
H1368-24 וְ/גִבּ֨וֹר vegibor HC/Aamsc and a mighty and mighty one of 3

Occurrences in Scripture

160 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1368-14 Genesis 6:4 הַ/גִּבֹּרִ֛ים hagiborim HTd/Aampa the mighty men the mighty ones
H1368-03 Genesis 10:8 גִּבֹּ֖ר gibor HAamsa a mighty one mighty man
H1368-03 Genesis 10:9 גִבֹּֽר gibor HAamsc mighty mighty man
H1368-03 Genesis 10:9 גִּבּ֥וֹר gibor-2 HAamsc mighty mighty man
H1368-13 Deuteronomy 10:17 הַ/גִּבֹּר֙ hagibor HTd/Aamsa the mighty the mighty one
H1368-07 Joshua 1:14 גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י giborey HAampc mighty men mighty ones of
H1368-07 Joshua 6:2 גִּבּוֹרֵ֖י giborey HAampc mighty men mighty ones of
H1368-07 Joshua 8:3 גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י giborey HAampc mighty mighty ones of
H1368-11 Joshua 10:2 גִּבֹּרִֽים giborim HAampa mighty men mighty men
H1368-07 Joshua 10:7 גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י giborey HAampc mighty men mighty ones of
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