בַּר (bar)
bar
son
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The word bar is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew ben, meaning "son" or "child." It appears fourteen times in the Old Testament, primarily within the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it reflects the official language of the Babylonian and Persian courts rather than everyday Hebrew speech. In these contexts, it functions as a straightforward term for lineage or descent, just as ben does in Hebrew texts.
Its usage is most notable in the famous phrase "son of the gods" found in Daniel 3:25, where King Nebuchadnezzar describes the fourth figure in the fiery furnace. Here, bar carries a sense of divine association or status, echoing the title given to angels or righteous figures in other ancient Near Eastern literature. The word does not imply divinity itself but rather a close relationship or representation.
Translators consistently render bar as "son" to maintain this familial or relational nuance. Because it appears so rarely outside of Daniel and Ezra, its presence signals the specific cultural and linguistic setting of the exilic period. It reminds readers that the biblical narrative extends beyond Israel into the wider imperial world, where different languages conveyed similar concepts of identity and belonging.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bar simply means "son" or "child." It appears in the Old Testament primarily in Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, reflecting the language of the Babylonian and Persian courts. Unlike Hebrew, which uses ben, this term shows how God’s people lived within foreign empires while maintaining their identity. It is a straightforward word for lineage, reminding us that our family ties matter even in distant lands.
In Daniel 3:25, King Nebuchadnezzar sees a fourth figure in the fire described as "like a son of the gods." This phrase highlights divine protection rather than divinity itself. It suggests that those who trust God are accompanied by a presence that transcends natural danger. The word connects us to a broader ancient world where identity and belonging were defined by relationship.
When we read these verses, we see that faith is not confined to Israel’s borders. Bar reminds us that God works through diverse cultures and languages. Whether in Jerusalem or Babylon, the concept of being a child of God remains central. This word invites us to consider how our own identities are shaped by our relationship with the Creator, regardless of where we find ourselves.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] sons of4×
- [the] son of4×
- and/ sons/ his2×
- [the] people of2×
- son/ his1×
- like/ a son of1×
- and/ young of1×
- <obj.>/ a son of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּר\־3×
- וּ/בְנֽוֹ/הִי\׃2×
- בְּנֵ֤י2×
- לְ/בַר\־1×
- כְּ/בַ֥ר1×
- וּ/בְנֵ֣י1×
- בְּרֵ/הּ֙1×
- בְּנֵי֩1×
- בְּנֵי\־1×
- בְּֽנֵי\־1×
- בַר\־1×
- בְנֵֽי\־1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:25
He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
This occurrence is unique because Nebuchadnezzar uses bar to describe a divine figure accompanying the faithful, emphasizing protection rather than inherent divinity.
-
Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.
Here, bar appears in "son of man," a title for a heavenly figure who receives authority from God, linking human identity to divine sovereignty.
-
Ezra 5:2
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
The text identifies Zerubbabel as the son of Shealtiel, using bar to establish legitimate lineage during the rebuilding of the temple.
-
Daniel 5:22
“You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
Nebuchadnezzar addresses Belshazzar as his son, using bar to highlight the personal responsibility and failure of royal succession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does bar mean in the Bible?
Why is bar used instead of Hebrew?
Does "son of the gods" in Daniel 3:25 mean Jesus?
How is bar different from ben?
Every Occurrence (14 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 7 verses
Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and…
Ezra 5:2Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at…
Ezra 6:9That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also…
Ezra 6:10that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his…
Ezra 6:14The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of…
Ezra 6:16The children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of…
Ezra 7:23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should…