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בָּרַר

𐤁𐤓𐤓

bârar

H1305 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ברר to select, to clarify, to purify, to separate out

Definition

To purify or make pure, to select out, to clarify or make clear. Used for physical processes of purifying or refining (e.g., metals), metaphorically for moral or spiritual purification, and for the act of choosing or distinguishing. The word covers processes of removing impurities, making something unambiguous or distinct, and selecting out what is best or appropriate.

Semantic Range

to purify physically (e.g., smelting, winnowing); to select or choose; to make clear, clarify, or make distinct; to purify morally or spiritually; to distinguish sharply; to cleanse or brighten

Root / Etymology

From the root בָּרַר (BRR), meaning 'to separate,' 'to sift,' or 'to make distinct.' The verb form emphasizes the process of distinguishing or purifying by separating what is desired or pure from what is unwanted or impure. Related nouns include בָּרוּר (clear, distinct) and בֹּר (grain, as in threshed grain).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, בָּרַר is sometimes used of the physical process of refining metals (Isaiah 49:2) or winnowing grain (1 Chronicles 7:40), both of which involve removing impurities to achieve something pure. It can also indicate a moral or ritual sense of purification (Daniel 11:35, 12:10), referring to the process of purging a group or individual of fault or uncleanness. In later or exilic texts, the word takes on a stronger metaphorical use for discernment, selection, or moral purification. It is distinct from טהר (ṭāhēr)—which generally means 'to be clean' in a ritual or cultic sense—by its focus on process, separation, or distinction rather than on ritual state. English translations often render this word as 'purify,' 'select,' or 'make clear,' but some nuances relating to discernment and clarification may be lost.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select; make bright, choice, chosen, cleanse (be clean), clearly, polished, (shew self) pure(-ify), purge (out).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ברר (b-r-r) — to select, to clarify, to purify, to separate out

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1247 בַּר winnowed grain
H1248 בַּר winnowed grain
H1249 בַּר winnowed grain
H1250 בָּר purified grain
H1252 בֹּר in purity

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1305-01 בָּר֔וּר barur HVqsmsa polished purified one 2
H1305-09 נָבָ֖ר navar HVNrmsa pure purified one 2
H1305-04 הַ/בְּרוּרִים֙ haberurim HTd/Vqsmpa of the chosen the purified ones 2
H1305-06 הִבָּ֕רוּ hibaru HVNv2mp purify yourselves be purified 1
H1305-15 יִ֠תְבָּֽרֲרוּ yitebararu HVti3mp shall be purified they will purify themselves 1
H1305-07 לְ/הָבַֽר lehavar HR/Vhc for-cleansing to refine 1
H1305-11 תִּתְבָּרָ֑ר titebarar HVti2ms you show yourself pure you will purify yourself 1
H1305-10 תִּתָּבָ֑ר titavar HVNi2ms you show yourself pure you will be purified 1
H1305-08 לְ/בָרָ֖/ם levaram HR/Vqc/Sp3mp to purify them 1
H1305-12 וּ/לְ/בָרֵ֥ר ulevarer HC/R/Vpc and to purify and to refine-purify 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1305-09 2 Samuel 22:27 נָבָ֖ר navar HVNrmsa pure purified one
H1305-10 2 Samuel 22:27 תִּתָּבָ֑ר titavar HVNi2ms you show yourself pure you will be purified
H1305-01 Isaiah 49:2 בָּר֔וּר barur HVqsmsa polished purified one
H1305-06 Isaiah 52:11 הִבָּ֕רוּ hibaru HVNv2mp purify yourselves be purified
H1305-07 Jeremiah 4:11 לְ/הָבַֽר lehavar HR/Vhc for-cleansing to refine
H1305-05 Jeremiah 51:11 הָבֵ֣רוּ haveru HVhv2mp Make bright Purify!
H1305-13 Ezekiel 20:38 וּ/בָרוֹתִ֣י uvaroti HC/Vqq1cs and I will purge and I purified
H1305-14 Zephaniah 3:9 בְרוּרָ֑ה verurah HAafsa pure purified, clarified
H1305-09 Psalms 18:27 נָבָ֥ר navar HVNrmsa the pure purified one
H1305-11 Psalms 18:27 תִּתְבָּרָ֑ר titebarar HVti2ms you show yourself pure you will purify yourself
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