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גְּבִיר

𐤂𐤁𐤉𐤓

gᵉbîyr

H1376 noun

SILEX Entry

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

Definition

Someone occupying a position of authority, influence, or mastery over others; a chief, superior, or lord. In biblical usage, the term often indicates a man of higher social standing, possessing power or control within a household, community, or broader context. The nuance can range from a respected head of a family, to a powerful leader, to a master in relation to subordinates or servants.

Semantic Range

master, lord, superior, one in authority, head of a household, chief, overseer, power-holder, patron

Root / Etymology

From the root גבר (g-b-r), which fundamentally means 'to be strong' or 'to prevail.' The noun גְּבִיר is formed as a substantive indicating possession or exercise of authority or strength, thus 'one who rules, is strong, or is master.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גְּבִיר is used primarily in familial or socio-political contexts. Most notably, it denotes a patriarchal head (Genesis 27:29, where Jacob is told he will be a 'master' over others), or figures with notable authority (such as in Isaiah 16:4 referring to a ruling figure). The feminine counterpart, גְּבִירָה (gᵉvīrāh), designates a mistress, lady, or queen mother. Later translation traditions (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) render the term as 'lord' or 'dominus,' but this can overly generalize the sense of the Hebrew, which is more contextual and at times narrower. Usage of גְּבִיר diminished in later Hebrew, supplanted by terms like אֲדוֹן (’adōn). Importantly, the term does not denote divinity, but human authority or status. In patriarchal and monarchic contexts, it is closely linked to kinship structure and the distribution of authority within families and clans. English translations frequently use 'master' or 'lord,' which may not always reflect the original nuance, especially where kinship or seniority, rather than formal rulership, is intended.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּבַר; a master; lord.

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
H1368 גִּבּוֹר the mighty ones
H1369 גְּבוּרָה in mighty strength
H1370 גְּבוּרָה and the might
H1377 גְּבִירָה the ruling lady
H1396 גָּבַר he prevailed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1376-01 גְבִיר֙ gevir HNcmsa lord mighty master 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1376-01 Genesis 27:29 גְבִיר֙ gevir HNcmsa lord mighty master
H1376-01 Genesis 27:37 גְּבִ֞יר gevir HNcmsa lord mighty master
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