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אַבִּיר

𐤀𐤁𐤉𐤓

ʼabbîyr

H47 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אבר to be strong, to be mighty, to prevail

Definition

a term denoting strength or might, used both literally and figuratively; refers to a powerful or strong individual (often a warrior or leader), or to strong animals, especially bulls; also used poetically for mighty beings, including divine beings or metaphors for God’s power.

Semantic Range

mighty one, strong man, valiant person, leader of warriors, bull (as a symbol of strength), epithet for God (Mighty One of Jacob/Israel), metaphor for strength or power

Root / Etymology

From the root אָבַר (אבר), meaning 'to be strong, to be mighty'; possibly also related morphologically to אַב (father), suggestive of chief or leading status, but primary derivation is from the strength-related root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַבִּיר occurs in poetic and figurative contexts in the Hebrew Bible. It often refers to strength embodied in warriors, champions, or leaders, as well as to bulls (notably in Psalm 22:13, where it describes formidable animals). In later and poetic texts (e.g., Psalms, Isaiah), ʼabbîyr can convey the idea of divine or supernatural might, sometimes as an epithet for God as the 'Mighty One' of Jacob or Israel. English translations sometimes render it as 'mighty one,' 'valiant,' or as a direct reference to an animal (bull). Due to its range, context is decisive: in prophetic and poetic literature, especially Psalms and Isaiah, 'Avir (Mighty One)' is often a divine epithet, while in narrative or descriptive passages it denotes strength, power, or leadership, human or animal. The translation 'angel' is not lexically warranted, but arises from interpretive traditions reading 'mighty one' as a reference to supernatural beings. In post-biblical Hebrew and related Semitic languages, similar roots continue to denote strength, chiefly in the physical sense as animals or warriors. Not to be confused with the theonym or title 'El Shaddai' or with the more specific term גִּבּוֹר (gibbôr, hero/warrior), which has overlapping but distinct semantic territory.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

for אָבִיר; {mighty (spoken of God)}; angel, bull, chiefest, mighty (one), stout(-hearted), strong (one), valiant.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבר (ʾ-b-r) — strength, might, prevailing power

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H46 אָבִיר mighty one of
H82 אָבַר he causes to fly
H84 אֶבְרָה in his strong wing

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H47-06 אַבִּירִ֑ים abirim HAampa mighty bulls mighty ones 5
H47-03 אַבִּירָֽי/ו abirayv HAampc/Sp3ms of his mighty ones his mighty ones 3
H47-04 אַבִּ֣ירֵי abirey HAampc stouthearted mighty ones of 3
H47-01 אַבִּ֥יר abir HAamsc the mighty mighty one of 2
H47-02 אַבִּירַ֤/י abiray HAampc/Sp1cs my mighty men my mighty ones 1
H47-05 אַבִּירֶ֑י/ךָ abireykha HAampc/Sp2ms your mighty ones your mighty ones 1
H47-07 כָּ/אֲבִּרִֽים kaabirim HRd/Aampa like stallions like mighty ones 1
H47-08 כַּ/אבִּ֖יר kabir HR/Aamsa like-a-mighty-man mighty one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H47-03 Judges 5:22 אַבִּירָֽי/ו abirayv HAampc/Sp3ms of his mighty ones his mighty ones
H47-01 1 Samuel 21:8 אַבִּ֥יר abir HAamsc chief mighty one of
H47-08 Isaiah 10:13 כַּ/אבִּ֖יר kabir HR/Aamsa like-a-mighty-man mighty one
H47-06 Isaiah 34:7 אַבִּירִ֑ים abirim HAampa mighty bulls mighty ones
H47-04 Isaiah 46:12 אַבִּ֣ירֵי abirey HAampc stouthearted mighty ones of
H47-03 Jeremiah 8:16 אַבִּירָ֔י/ו abirayv HAampc/Sp3ms of his strong ones his mighty ones
H47-05 Jeremiah 46:15 אַבִּירֶ֑י/ךָ abireykha HAampc/Sp2ms your mighty ones your mighty ones
H47-03 Jeremiah 47:3 אַבִּירָ֔י/ו abirayv HAampc/Sp3ms of his stallions his mighty ones
H47-07 Jeremiah 50:11 כָּ/אֲבִּרִֽים kaabirim HRd/Aampa like stallions like mighty ones
H47-04 Psalms 22:13 אַבִּירֵ֖י abirey HAampc strong mighty ones of
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