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דִּבְרָה

𐤃𐤁𐤓𐤄

dibrâh

H1700 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דבר to speak, declare, formalize, arrange words

Definition

A matter, case, issue, or formal charge; used to denote a subject under consideration, a specific matter for discussion, dispute, or grievance, particularly in legal or social contexts. The term designates something discussed, proposed, or a reason or cause, often in connection with speech, deliberation, or litigation.

Semantic Range

case, legal matter, formal complaint, reason, dispute, charge, judicial subject, grievance, subject under discussion

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root דָּבַר (DBR), meaning 'to speak' or 'to formalize in words.' דִּבְרָה (dibrâh) is the feminine noun form, signifying 'that which is spoken' or 'a matter/affair,' especially in formal, legal, or rhetorical contexts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The noun דִּבְרָה appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, frequently in legal, judicial, or dispute settings—such as presenting a case or grievance before an authority (e.g., 2 Samuel 19:30; Exodus 18:16). It is more emphatic or specific than the masculine דָּבָר, which has a broad range encompassing 'word,' 'thing,' or 'matter.' In the early Israelite period, דִּבְרָה refers most often to an articulated or argued case, frequently underpinning judicial activity or formal complaints. The term does not carry later English senses of 'style' or 'order' except where these relate to the structure of speech or proceedings. The association with 'cause' or 'regard' in some translations reflects attempts to capture its role in disputes or deliberations. Later Jewish and Judean legal traditions often replaced the term with Aramaic legal nomenclature, so the word is seldom attested in Second Temple or post-exilic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of דָּבָר; a reason, suit or style; cause, end, estate, order, regard.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דבר (d-b-r) — to speak, declare, formalize, arrange words

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1682 דְּבוֹרָה bees
H1683 דְּבּוֹרָה Bee-woman
H1687 דְּבִיר in the innermost sanctuary
H1688 דְּבִיר Devir
H1696 דָבַר I will speak

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1700-01 דִּבְרַת֙ diverat HNcfsc matter of 3
H1700-02 דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י diverati HNcfsc my cause my formal case 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1700-02 Psalms 110:4 דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י diverati HNcfsc my word my formal case
H1700-02 Job 5:8 דִּבְרָתִֽ/י diverati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my cause my formal case
H1700-01 Ecclesiastes 3:18 דִּבְרַת֙ diverat HNcfsc matter of
H1700-01 Ecclesiastes 7:14 דִּבְרַ֗ת diverat HNcfsc matter of
H1700-01 Ecclesiastes 8:2 דִּבְרַ֖ת diverat HNcfsc matter of
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