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יִבְחַר

𐤉𐤁𐤇𐤓

Yivechar

H2984 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בחר to choose, select, prefer

Definition

A personal name meaning 'he (God) chooses' or 'he will choose'; used as the proper name of a son of King David. The term derives from the verb form of the root בחר, which means 'to choose,' and thus conveys the sense of selection or being chosen, often in contexts implying divine selection or favor.

Semantic Range

proper name (personal—male), 'he chooses,' 'he will choose,' expressing the action of choosing (usually by God), name given to a son of David

Root / Etymology

Formed from the root בחר ('to choose') in the yiqtol (imperfect) form, third person masculine singular— יִבְחַר (yivḥar), meaning 'he will choose.' Used as a theophoric personal name, likely expressing divine agency or favor, i.e., '[the deity] chooses.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

This name, יִבְחַר (Yibchar), appears in genealogical lists as a son of David (2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:6, 14:5), indicating usage in monarchic Israelite society, particularly the royal household. The form fits a common biblical naming pattern, whereby a verb form or action is attributed to the deity, reflecting a wish or statement about divine activity (cf. similar names like יִצְחָק 'he will laugh'). English translations often render the name as 'Ibhar' or 'Jibhar,' though the Hebrew preserves a sense of active choosing. The name does not in itself designate ethnic or religious identity but suggests an Israelite context due to its use in Davidic genealogy. There is no evidence that the name implied sacerdotal or prophetic status, nor did it develop distinct religious connotations in later periods. Unlike titles or common nouns derived from בחר, this instance is exclusively personal and proper.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּחַר; choice; Jibchar, an Israelite; Ibhar.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בחר (b-ḥ-r) — to choose, select, prefer

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4004 מִבְחוֹר chosen place
H4005 מִבְחָר in the choicest of
H4006 מִבְחָר choicest of
H970 בָּחוּר chosen young man
H972 בָּחִיר chosen one of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2984-01 וְ/יִבְחָ֥ר veyivechar HC/Np and Ibhar He Will Choose 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2984-01 2 Samuel 5:15 וְ/יִבְחָ֥ר veyivechar HC/Np and Ibhar He Will Choose
H2984-01 1 Chronicles 3:6 וְ/יִבְחָ֥ר veyivechar HC/Np Ibhar He Will Choose
H2984-01 1 Chronicles 14:5 וְ/יִבְחָ֥ר veyivechar HC/Np and Ibhar He Will Choose
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