בְּרִי
𐤁𐤓𐤉
bᵉrîy
H1274 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A noun referring to 'fat' or 'richness,' especially of an animal, typically in the sense of body fat or abundance of flesh. In context, it can indicate physical fatness as a sign of strength or prosperity. The term may also be used figuratively to denote richness or luxuriance, though this is rare.
Semantic Range
fat (physical flesh), richness, luxuriance, abundance (of flesh or resources); fatness as a symbol of prosperity or overindulgence
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root בָּרָה (b-r-h), which carries the core sense of 'being fat, choosing, selecting.' The noun form בְּרִי specifically takes the meaning of 'fat' as physical substance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בְּרִי occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Deuteronomy 32:15 and Isaiah 34:6. In Deut. 32:15, it describes the physical condition of Jeshurun as 'waxed fat,' symbolizing both prosperity and spiritual complacency. Unlike חֵלֶב (ḥēlev), which is the more common term for 'fat' especially in sacrificial contexts, בְּרִי highlights a state of flourishing or luxuriance, sometimes with a negative connotation of overindulgence. The word does not appear frequently after the monarchic period, and later Jewish tradition generally preferred other terms. Modern translations often render it as 'fat,' but the precise nuance is that of abundance and excess flesh, with context affecting whether the term carries a neutral, positive, or negative implication.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּרָה; fat; fat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ברה (b-r-h) — to be fat, to make fat, to choose
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1262 | בָּרָה | Select! |
| H1267 | בָּרוּת | in my prepared meal |
| H1279 | בִּרְיָה | the substantial food |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1274-01 |
בִרְיָ֔ה | vireyah | HAafsa |
fat | fat | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1274-01 |
Ezekiel 34:20 | בִרְיָ֔ה | vireyah | HAafsa |
fat | fat |