בַּר (bar)
bar
grain; field
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun bar refers primarily to grain or corn, representing the harvested seed that sustains life. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears thirteen times, often in contexts involving agricultural abundance or famine. For instance, Genesis 41:57 describes people coming to Egypt for grain during a severe drought, while Psalm 81:16 speaks of God satisfying Israel with "the finest wheat," using this term to symbolize divine provision and blessing.
A distinct nuance arises in Job 39:4, where the text uses an Aramaic-influenced form of the word to mean "field." This shift highlights how language boundaries blurred in ancient Near Eastern texts. While most occurrences focus on the edible product—the grain itself—this single instance points to the land where it grows, showing a flexible usage that connects the harvest directly to its source.
The word’s significance lies in its concrete reality: it is not abstract wealth but tangible food. Translators typically render it as "corn" or "grain," preserving the agricultural imagery central to Israel’s covenant life. Whether describing the storehouses of Egypt or the fields of Judah, bar anchors spiritual promises in physical sustenance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read about grain in the Bible, you are looking at more than just an ancient crop. It represents the tangible provision God gives for daily life. In Genesis, Joseph stores this food to save lives during famine, showing how practical preparation is part of trusting God’s plan. The word anchors spiritual promises in physical reality, reminding us that God cares about our basic needs.
This imagery also speaks to community and justice. Withholding grain was seen as a serious wrong because it hurt the vulnerable. Conversely, sharing food brings blessing. The text connects our treatment of neighbors directly to our standing before God. It invites us to see our resources not as private wealth, but as tools for care.
Even when the land is dry or the market is unfair, the promise remains that God satisfies His people. Whether in the storehouses of Egypt or the fields of Judah, this word points to a faithful Provider who ensures there is enough for those who wait on Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- grain11×
- the/ grain1×
- in the/ open1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּ֑ר2×
- הַ/בָּ֖ר1×
- בָּר֒1×
- בָּ֭ר1×
- בָּ֣ר1×
- בָּ֛ר1×
- בָּ֖ר1×
- בַּר֙1×
- בַּ֨ר\׀1×
- בַּ֖ר1×
- בָ֞ר1×
- בַ/בָּ֑ר1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 11:26
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
This occurrence contrasts hoarding with generosity, showing that how we handle resources affects our community’s well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word bar mean?
Is there a different meaning of bar in Job 39:4?
Why is grain important in biblical theology?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 5 verses
Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the…
Genesis 41:49Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.
Genesis 42:3Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
Genesis 42:25Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore each man’s money into his sack, and to give…
Genesis 45:23He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded…