גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor)
gib.bor
mighty man
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 131 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew word gibbor describes a person or entity defined by exceptional strength and power. While it functions as an adjective meaning "strong" or "mighty," it is most commonly used as a noun to identify a warrior, champion, or hero. The term appears over 130 times in the Old Testament, frequently referring to skilled soldiers or leaders who excel in battle.
Its usage spans from human figures to the divine. It describes mighty men of valor like David’s warriors (2 Samuel 23:8) and even lions among beasts (Proverbs 30:30). Significantly, it is applied to God Himself as "a mighty warrior" in Exodus 15:3 and "Jehovah the mighty one" in Psalm 24:8. This dual application highlights a theological perspective where human military prowess is seen as a reflection of divine power.
The word derives from a root meaning to be strong or prevail, emphasizing active force rather than passive status. Translators often render it as "mighty man," "champion," or simply "strong." In contexts like Genesis 10:9, it distinguishes Nimrod as a hunter of notable prowess. The term carries no inherent moral judgment; it denotes capability and impact, whether in the hands of a righteous king or a tyrant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gibbor describes someone defined by exceptional strength and power. While it often identifies a warrior or champion in battle, its meaning extends beyond physical prowess. It highlights capability and impact, whether applied to human leaders like David’s soldiers or to God Himself as the mighty one who acts in history.
For your faith, this word reminds us that true strength is not merely about military might or personal influence. It points to a source of power that sustains us when our own resources fail. Seeing God described with this term encourages trust in His ability to protect and guide, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 131 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ warriors11×
- mighty [men] of11×
- the/ mighty [men]7×
- a warrior7×
- a mighty [man] of6×
- [the] mighty [men] of6×
- mighty of5×
- like/ a warrior5×
- [the] mighty [ones]5×
- warriors4×
- mighty [man] of4×
- mighty4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גִּבּ֥וֹר13×
- גִּבּ֣וֹר7×
- גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י6×
- גִּבּוֹרֵ֖י5×
- הַ/גִּבֹּרִֽים\׃4×
- גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי4×
- הַ/גִּבּוֹרִֽים\׃3×
- גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים3×
- גִּבּֽוֹר\׃3×
- גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי3×
- גִּבּ֖וֹר3×
- כְּ/גִבּ֣וֹר2×
Key Verses
-
Judges 6:12
Yahweh’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
The angel calls Gideon a 'mighty man of valor,' showing how God empowers ordinary individuals for significant tasks.
-
II Samuel 1:19
“Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
David’s lament uses the plural form to reflect on the tragic fall of human strength and glory in battle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gibbor mean in the Old Testament?
Is gibbor only used for humans?
How is gibbor different from other words for strength?
Every Occurrence (131 verses across 27 books)
Genesis 3 verses
The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had…
Genesis 10:8Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Genesis 10:9He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”.