כָּבַר
𐤊𐤁𐤓
kâbar
H3527 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be or become many, to increase, especially in number or abundance; to multiply or be multiplied. The verb denotes the idea of numerical growth, particularly in reference to people, animals, or items. In some contexts, it can refer specifically to the augmentation or increase of something already existing.
Semantic Range
to multiply, to increase in number, to accumulate, to be or become many, to augment, to add abundantly, to amass
Root / Etymology
Root: כ־ב־ר. Etymology is likely related to the idea of combining or gathering elements together into a greater whole. The consistent theme is increase through accumulation, though the exact physical origin (such as 'to plait' or 'to entwine') is uncertain when applied to this verb; it may be more abstractly related to growth or multiplication. The verb derives from the root idea of bringing together, amassing, or making numerous.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Hebrew, כָּבַר occurs extremely rarely and is attested primarily in poetic or ancient contexts (cf. Job 35:16; 36:31; 39:4). Its meaning is best determined by context and is often parallel to other verbs of multiplication such as רבה (râbâ). In the few extant uses, the term emphasizes the process or result of increase—accumulation of words (i.e., 'to multiply words': Job 35:16), or increase in numbers (Job 36:31; 39:4). English translations sometimes obscure the nuance of increment or augmentation that this verb can carry. The idea of 'plaiting' is not strongly attested in usage and seems to reflect a conjectural root meaning rather than the lexical sense found in biblical contexts. The verb is not used in the Pentateuch or historical narratives, and where it appears in wisdom literature, it often bears a figurative meaning tied more to the abstract idea of 'multiplying' than to literal numerical growth. Contrast with רבה (râbâ), which is the far more common verb for 'to be many' or 'to increase' and is used from early to late biblical texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to plait together, i.e. (figuratively) to augment (especially in number or quantity, to accumulate); in abundance, multiply.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כבר (k-b-r) — to be many, to increase, to multiply, to augment
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1247 | בַּר | Kebar Canal |
| H3523 | כְּבִיר | plaited bedding |
| H3524 | כַּבִּיר | mighty |
| H3528 | כְּבָר | in that already |
| H3529 | כְּבָר | Kebar Canal |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3527-01 |
יַכְבִּֽר | yakhebir | HVhi3ms |
he-multiplies | he causes to multiply | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3527-01 |
Job 35:16 | יַכְבִּֽר | yakhebir | HVhi3ms |
he-multiplies | he causes to multiply |