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מִבְחָר

𐤌𐤁𐤇𐤓

mibchâr

H4005 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בחר to choose, select, examine

Definition

A choice or select thing; what is considered the best or most desirable of a group, class, or collection—often referring to quality objects, produce, or people chosen for a particular purpose or value. Semantic range includes the best or choicest (of produce, objects, animals, or persons), items selected for special attention, and what is picked out as superior within a given context.

Semantic Range

choicest, best, select, preferred, picked out, most desirable, selected group or thing, item of superior quality

Root / Etymology

From the root בחר (bachar), meaning 'to choose, select, test.' 'מִבְחָר' is a noun of result: that which is chosen after examination or selection. The word combines the preformative mem מ (often indicating agency or the result of an action) with the root, yielding 'that which is chosen' or 'selection.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

'מִבְחָר' appears primarily in contexts describing prized resources (such as 'choicest fruits' or 'best of the land'), offerings, or select people (e.g., warriors or officials chosen for distinction). The emphasis is qualitative: the term signals what is regarded as of highest value in its class, not merely something picked at random. The word can describe agricultural produce (Genesis 23:6, Ezekiel 22:18), select fighting men, or even the best utensils or objects. English translations often render it as 'choicest,' 'best,' or 'select,' but these sometimes lose the nuance of careful choice intrinsic to the Hebrew. While the core meaning remains stable, later texts occasionally blur the distinction between a general selection and what is most highly valued. Contrasts with related terms like בְּחוּרִים (bechurim, 'young men'—from the idea of being in the prime or best stage of life). This noun does not carry the personal sense of 'chosen by God' (as with בָּחוּר), but rather the more general sense of select quality or excellence, most often applied to material objects or collective qualities.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּחַר; select, i.e. best; choice(-st), chosen.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2984 יִבְחַר He Will Choose
H4004 מִבְחוֹר chosen place
H4006 מִבְחָר choicest of
H970 בָּחוּר chosen young man
H972 בָּחִיר chosen one of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4005-02 מִבְחַ֣ר mivechar HNcmsc choice choicest of 8
H4005-05 וּ/מִבְחַ֥ר umivechar HC/Ncmsc and chosen and choicest of 2
H4005-03 מִבְחָרָ֔י/ו mivecharayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his chosen ones his choicest ones 1
H4005-01 בְּ/מִבְחַ֣ר bemivechar HR/Ncmsc in the choicest in the choicest of 1
H4005-04 מִבְח֣וֹר mivechor HNcmsc choice choicest thing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4005-01 Genesis 23:6 בְּ/מִבְחַ֣ר bemivechar HR/Ncmsc in the choicest in the choicest of
H4005-05 Exodus 15:4 וּ/מִבְחַ֥ר umivechar HC/Ncmsc and chosen and choicest of
H4005-02 Deuteronomy 12:11 מִבְחַ֣ר mivechar HNcmsc choice choicest of
H4005-04 2 Kings 19:23 מִבְח֣וֹר mivechor HNcmsc choice choicest thing
H4005-02 Isaiah 22:7 מִבְחַר mivechar HNcmsc choicest choicest of
H4005-02 Isaiah 37:24 מִבְחַ֣ר mivechar HNcmsc the choicest of choicest of
H4005-02 Jeremiah 22:7 מִבְחַ֣ר mivechar HNcmsc choicest choicest of
H4005-05 Jeremiah 48:15 וּ/מִבְחַ֥ר umivechar HC/Ncmsc and the choicest and choicest of
H4005-02 Ezekiel 23:7 מִבְחַ֥ר mivechar HNcmsc choice choicest of
H4005-02 Ezekiel 24:4 מִבְחַ֥ר mivechar HNcmsc choice choicest of
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