בָּאַר (ba.ar)
ba.ar
to make plain
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ba’ar means to make something plain or distinct. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in Deuteronomy and Habakkuk. In these contexts, it describes the act of clarifying a matter so that it is unmistakable.
Its usage often involves setting forth details with precision, such as inscribing letters on a tablet or declaring a legal case clearly. This word emphasizes clarity and visibility, ensuring that the truth is not hidden but openly displayed for all to see.
The rarity of this term highlights its specific function: it is used when something must be made evident beyond doubt. By focusing on distinctness, ba’ar underscores the importance of transparency in divine communication and human understanding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When God speaks, He wants to be understood. The Hebrew word ba’ar captures this desire for absolute clarity. It is not about hiding truth in mystery, but about setting it out plainly so that anyone can see and know it. This transparency invites us into a relationship where we do not have to guess at God’s will.
In Habakkuk 2:2, the command to write the vision on tablets ensures that the message is distinct and visible. You do not need special equipment or secret knowledge to grasp what God has said. The truth stands out clearly, ready for anyone who runs to read it. This reliability grounds our faith in something solid and open.
Knowing that God communicates with such precision brings comfort. We can trust that His instructions are clear enough for daily life. Let this assurance settle your heart as you seek to follow His path today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- surely clearly1×
- he made clear1×
- and/ make [it] clear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בָאֵ֖ר1×
- בַּאֵ֥ר1×
- בֵּאֵ֛ר1×
Key Verses
-
Habakkuk 2:2
Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.
This verse uses the word to command that a divine vision be written on tablets with such distinctness that even a runner can read it without stopping.
-
Deuteronomy 27:8
You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
Here the term emphasizes the physical act of inscribing the law on stones so that its meaning is unmistakable to all who see it.
-
Deuteronomy 1:5
Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to declare this law, saying,
Moses uses this concept when he begins to declare the law, ensuring the people understand the instructions clearly before entering the land.