גָּבַר
𐤂𐤁𐤓
gâbar
H1396 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be strong, mighty, or powerful; to excel in strength, to have the upper hand, to overcome or prevail. The verb denotes both innate or conferred strength and the dynamic exercise of that strength, often in contexts of conflict, competition, or assertion of dominance. In some usages, especially in poetic or negative contexts, it can also refer to acting arrogantly or insolently, as a metaphorical extension of strength.
Semantic Range
to be or become strong, to prevail, to overcome, to be superior, to have the upper hand, to act arrogantly, to act insolently, to become great, to be victorious, to strengthen (transitive or causative sense in some stems)
Root / Etymology
Root: גבר (g-b-r), meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be mighty.' The word גָּבַר is a direct verbal form from this root, with core meaning of exercising or possessing power or strength. The concept of 'strength' is foundational to the root, but the specific verb forms expand to include prevailing, overcoming, or exceeding.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, גָּבַר is found in narratives describing military activity (e.g., prevailing in battle), personal triumph (e.g., prevailing over illness or adversity), or metaphoric contexts (divine power, flood prevailing—Genesis 7:18, 7:19, 7:24). In the Psalms and poetic books, it can be used to express either physical might or moral/spiritual overcoming. Occasionally, in negative contexts, the verb implies arrogance or presumption, where 'to be strong' shades into 'to act insolently.' In contrast to חזק (ḥ-z-q, 'to be firm, to strengthen'), which emphasizes firmness, durability, or support, גבר focuses on overcoming, superiority, or demonstrative might. The Septuagint usually translates גָּבַר with Greek forms signifying 'prevail' (e.g., κρατέω, ὑπερισχύω). English translations often render the term as 'prevail', 'be strong', or 'overcome', which generally but not always capture the nuance—occasional connotations of insolence or arrogance may be muted in some translations. Across periods, meanings are consistent, though poetic/prophetic literature more readily uses the metaphorical or negative senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently; exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, prevail, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be valiant.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גבר (g-b-r) — strength, might, prevailing, superiority
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1368 | גִּבּוֹר | the mighty ones |
| H1369 | גְּבוּרָה | in mighty strength |
| H1370 | גְּבוּרָה | and the might |
| H1376 | גְּבִיר | mighty master |
| H1377 | גְּבִירָה | the ruling lady |
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1396-02 |
גָּֽבְר֛וּ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
prevailed | they prevailed | 8 |
H1396-01 |
גָּבַ֥ר | gavar | HVqp3ms |
has prevailed | he prevailed | 4 |
H1396-04 |
וַ/יִּגְבְּר֥וּ | vayigeberu | HC/Vqw3mp |
prevailed | and they grew strong | 2 |
H1396-11 |
יִתְגַּבָּֽר | yitegabar | HVti3ms |
he-strengthens-himself | he will show himself strong | 2 |
H1396-05 |
וְ/גָבַ֣ר | vegavar | HC/Vqq3ms |
then prevailed | and he prevailed | 2 |
H1396-12 |
יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ | yitegabaru | HVti3mp |
they are behaving arrogantly | they will show themselves mighty | 1 |
H1396-07 |
וְ/גִבַּרְתִּי/ם֙ | vegibaretim | HC/Vpp1cs/Sp3mp |
And I will strengthen them | and I strengthened them | 1 |
H1396-06 |
וְ/גִבַּרְתִּ֣י | vegibareti | HC/Vpp1cs |
and-I-will-strengthen | and I have made strong | 1 |
H1396-10 |
יִגְבַּר | yigebar | HVqi3ms |
shall prevail | he will prevail | 1 |
H1396-09 |
יְגַבֵּ֑ר | yegaber | HVpi3ms |
he must exert | he will strengthen | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
25 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1396-04 |
Genesis 7:18 | וַ/יִּגְבְּר֥וּ | vayigeberu | HC/Vqw3mp |
prevailed | and they grew strong |
H1396-02 |
Genesis 7:19 | גָּֽבְר֛וּ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
prevailed | they prevailed |
H1396-02 |
Genesis 7:20 | גָּבְר֖וּ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
prevailed | they prevailed |
H1396-04 |
Genesis 7:24 | וַ/יִּגְבְּר֥וּ | vayigeberu | HC/Vqw3mp |
prevailed | and they grew strong |
H1396-02 |
Genesis 49:26 | גָּֽבְרוּ֙ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
have prevailed | they prevailed |
H1396-05 |
Exodus 17:11 | וְ/גָבַ֣ר | vegavar | HC/Vqq3ms |
then prevailed | and he prevailed |
H1396-05 |
Exodus 17:11 | וְ/גָבַ֥ר | vegavar-2 | HC/Vqq3ms |
then prevailed | and he prevailed |
H1396-10 |
1 Samuel 2:9 | יִגְבַּר | yigebar | HVqi3ms |
shall prevail | he will prevail |
H1396-02 |
2 Samuel 1:23 | גָּבֵֽרוּ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
they were stronger | they prevailed |
H1396-02 |
2 Samuel 11:23 | גָבְר֤וּ | gaveru | HVqp3cp |
prevailed | they prevailed |