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כִּבְרָה

𐤊𐤁𐤓𐤄

kibrâh

H3530 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כבר to be great, to be long (root uncertain and rare)

Definition

Kibrâh refers to a certain measurable distance, typically translated as 'a stretch,' 'distance,' or 'interval.' The term designates a span of length between two points, but the precise dimension is undefined in the Hebrew Bible. It may imply a moderate or short distance, as suggested by its contextual usage.

Semantic Range

distance, stretch, interval of space, a certain portion of land, a moderate or short distance, an indeterminate length

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root כּבר (k-b-r), which is not widely attested and whose meaning is debated, but likely refers to 'length' or 'a substantial portion.' Kibrâh is a feminine noun form indicating a length or an interval of space. The noun's formation from the root implies a sense of extendedness or a segment of measurable distance, but not a fixed or standard unit.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Kibrâh occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Genesis 35:16 and 48:7, always in the phrase 'kibrâh ha-aretz' (כִבְרַת־הָאָרֶץ), meaning 'a stretch/distance of the land.' The contexts describe the distance Jacob traveled with his household, indicating a journey of indeterminate but not excessive length. The phrase may underscore a poignancy—as with Rachel's death 'on the way, still some distance from Ephrath'—suggesting not so much a fixed unit but a notable, incomplete segment of travel. English translations often render the word as 'a little way,' 'a stretch of land,' or 'some distance,' but any numerical equivalence is speculative. In post-biblical Hebrew the term fell out of common use, and no standard measurement is associated with it in later tradition. It does not carry ritual, legal, or symbolic connotations. The related masculine כְּבָר (kevar) can mean 'already,' but it is unrelated semantically to spatial measurement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of כְּבָר; properly, length, i.e. a measure (of uncertain dimension); [idiom] little.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כבר (k-b-r) — to be great, to be long, extendedness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1247 בַּר Kebar Canal
H3523 כְּבִיר plaited bedding
H3524 כַּבִּיר mighty
H3527 כָּבַר he causes to multiply
H3528 כְּבָר in that already

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3530-01 כִּבְרַת kiverat HNcfsc some distance stretch-of 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3530-01 Genesis 35:16 כִּבְרַת kiverat HNcfsc some distance stretch-of
H3530-01 Genesis 48:7 כִּבְרַת kiverat HNcfsc some distance stretch-of
H3530-01 2 Kings 5:19 כִּבְרַת kiverat HNcfsc a distance stretch-of
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