← H1248 H1250 →

בַּר

𐤁𐤓

bar

H1249 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ברר to purify, to select, to sift, to make clear

Definition

Primarily, 'grain' or 'barley' as used in agricultural contexts (especially poetic or elevated prose); also, by extension, refers to the idea of something 'pure' or 'select,' such as refined grain or a chosen/special person. The word can also function in post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic to mean 'son,' though this is distinct from its Hebrew usage in the Tanakh.

Semantic Range

grain, barley, cereal; something pure or select; clarity; (poetic/figurative) a choice or noble person

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root בָּרַר (to purify, select, sift) or possibly from a different root meaning 'grain.' Its usage as 'pure' or 'select' is directly linked to the idea of separation or refinement inherent in the root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, בַּר most commonly appears in poetic texts such as Psalms and Proverbs, where it generally refers to cereals (wheat or grain) in contrast to חִטָּה (ḥittah, specifically 'wheat') and דָּגָן (dagan, fundamental 'grain'). It is used to indicate selected or refined produce. The sense of 'purity' or 'cleanness' (as in Psalm 19:9) draws on the adjectival value of the root—something refined and untainted, such as gold or character. In Aramaic and later Hebrew, the same spelling בַּר commonly means 'son,' but this meaning is not present in biblical Hebrew usage. The KJV and other English versions sometimes translate this word as 'Son' (e.g., Psalm 2:12), but this reflects later interpretive or theological readings and is not supported by context or standard lexical analysis of biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּרַר (in its various senses); beloved; also pure, empty; choice, clean, clear, pure.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ברר (b-r-r) — to select, purify, cleanse, separate by winnowing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1247 בַּר winnowed grain
H1248 בַּר winnowed grain
H1250 בָּר purified grain
H1252 בֹּר in purity
H1253 בֹּר in cleansing-lye

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1249-02 בָּ֝רָ֗ה barah HAafsa pure Purified-one 3
H1249-04 וּֽ/בַר uvar HC/Aamsc and clean and select grain of 2
H1249-03 לְ/בָרֵ֥י levarey HR/Aampc to the pure to pure ones of 1
H1249-01 בָּ֑ר bar HNcmsa clean winnowed grain 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1249-02 Psalms 19:9 בָּ֝רָ֗ה barah HAafsa is pure Purified-one
H1249-04 Psalms 24:4 וּֽ/בַר uvar HC/Aamsc and pure and select grain of
H1249-03 Psalms 73:1 לְ/בָרֵ֥י levarey HR/Aampc to the pure to pure ones of
H1249-01 Proverbs 14:4 בָּ֑ר bar HNcmsa clean winnowed grain
H1249-04 Job 11:4 וּ֝/בַ֗ר uvar HC/Aamsa and clean and select grain of
H1249-02 Song of Songs 6:9 בָּרָ֥ה barah HAafsa pure Purified-one
H1249-02 Song of Songs 6:10 בָּרָה֙ barah HAafsa pure Purified-one
← H1248 Hebrew Lexicon H1250 →