← H3527 H3529 →

כְּבָר

𐤊𐤁𐤓

kᵉbâr

H3528 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root כבר to be great, to be abundant

Definition

An adverb indicating a state or action that has already occurred or is in existence, functioning as 'already' or 'by now.' It can also mark something as 'formerly' or 'long ago' in temporal contrast to the present. Semantic range includes: denoting prior occurrence or established fact, conveying 'already,' 'by now,' 'formerly,' or 'hitherto.'

Semantic Range

already, by now, formerly, hitherto, long ago, now (in the sense of 'up to this point'), previously

Root / Etymology

The word כְּבָר derives from the root כ-ב-ר (k-b-r), which at the root level carries the sense of 'being great' or 'being abundant.' However, in this adverbial form, the connection with the root is largely lexicalized and abstract, referring instead to 'extent of time' rather than to physical abundance or greatness. The precise etymological development is uncertain, but the sense in context is temporal, not quantitative.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, כְּבָר is used primarily as a temporal adverb to indicate that an event or condition is already present or has already happened—well before another specified point in time. It contrasts with עוֹד ('still, yet') and is distinct from טֶרֶם ('not yet'). Usage spans prose and poetry, occurring most often in later biblical books, including Ecclesiastes, where it carries the nuance of something already accomplished ('what has already happened'). In post-biblical Hebrew, the adverb continues as a temporal marker meaning 'already; now.' English translations frequently render it as 'already' or 'formerly,' sometimes as 'by now' or 'hitherto,' yet these do not always convey the nuance of prior establishment or contrast with the present. The word does not refer to persons or specific time periods, but rather to the temporal status of actions or realities.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּבַר; properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto; already, (seeing that which), now.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

כבר (k-b-r) — greatness, abundance, extent

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1247 בַּר Kebar Canal
H3523 כְּבִיר plaited bedding
H3524 כַּבִּיר mighty
H3527 כָּבַר he causes to multiply
H3529 כְּבָר Kebar Canal

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3528-02 כְּבָר֙ kevar HD already Kebar Canal 6
H3528-04 שֶׁ/כְּבָ֣ר shekevar HTr/D already 1
H3528-03 כְבָ֔ר khevar HD already already 1
H3528-01 בְּ/שֶׁ/כְּבָ֞ר beshekevar HR/Tr/D in that already 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 1:10 כְּבָר֙ kevar HD Kebar Canal
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 2:12 כְּבָ֖ר kevar HD Kebar Canal
H3528-01 Ecclesiastes 2:16 בְּ/שֶׁ/כְּבָ֞ר beshekevar HR/Tr/D in that already
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 3:15 כְּבָ֣ר kevar HD Kebar Canal
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 3:15 כְּבָ֣ר kevar-2 HD Kebar Canal
H3528-04 Ecclesiastes 4:2 שֶׁ/כְּבָ֣ר shekevar HTr/D already
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 6:10 כְּבָר֙ kevar HD Kebar Canal
H3528-02 Ecclesiastes 9:6 כְּבָ֣ר kevar HD already Kebar Canal
H3528-03 Ecclesiastes 9:7 כְבָ֔ר khevar HD already already
← H3527 Hebrew Lexicon H3529 →