בָּרִיחַ
𐤁𐤓𐤉𐤇
bârîyach
H1281 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bar or bolt (usually of wood or metal) used to secure doors or gates; in some poetic texts, used metaphorically for boundaries or securing forces. In rare contexts, refers to a fleeing or gliding serpent, often mythological or astral, sometimes indicating the constellation associated with a serpent or dragon. Primary sense is an object that fastens, secures, or restricts movement.
Semantic Range
bar, bolt, locking bar, architectural fastener, restraining device; gliding/fleeing serpent (mythological), twisting or crooked serpent, constellation (serpent/dragon), metaphoric boundaries or restraining forces
Root / Etymology
Root: ברח (b-r-ch), which at the root level means 'to flee' or 'to run away.' The noun בָּרִיחַ (bariach) likely developed from the sense of something that moves swiftly away or 'shoots forth,' which metaphorically extended to a crossbar or bolt because it 'shoots across' to bar an entrance, or possibly as a means of restraint for movement.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In most prose passages, בָּרִיחַ refers to functional architectural elements, such as the bars used to fasten together the frames of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26–36) or the bolt on a city gate (Judges 16:3). The term is significant in depictions of security and integrity, implying the safeguarding or enclosure of space. In poetic or prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 27:1; Job 26:13; Psalm 74:13–14), the term appears in mythological contexts, identifying a serpent or dragon-like figure, likely referring to an astronomical or cosmological order (often translated as 'twisting serpent' or similar). In translations, the word's range is not fully captured by 'bar,' since the mythological usage is often obscured or rendered as 'crooked' or 'fleeing serpent.' The association with constellations or mythic creatures illustrates the flexibility of biblical Hebrew in reapplying common nouns to the cosmic or symbolic realm.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or בָּרִחַ; (shortened) from בָּרַח; a fugitive, i.e. the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name; crooked, noble, piercing.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ברח (b-r-ḥ) — to flee, to run away
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1272 | בָּרַח | he fled |
| H1280 | בְּרִיחַ | securing bolt of |
| H1282 | בָּרִיחַ | and Bariach |
| H4015 | מִבְרָח | his fugitives |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1281-01 |
בָּרִ֔חַ | baricha | HAamsa |
fleeing | locking bar | 2 |
H1281-02 |
בָֽ/רִיחִים֙ | varichim | HRd/Ncmpa |
fugitives | locking bars | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1281-01 |
Isaiah 27:1 | בָּרִ֔חַ | baricha | HAamsa |
fleeing | locking bar |
H1281-02 |
Isaiah 43:14 | בָֽ/רִיחִים֙ | varichim | HRd/Ncmpa |
fugitives | locking bars |
H1281-01 |
Job 26:13 | בָּרִֽיחַ | baricha | HAamsa |
fleeing | locking bar |