גְּבַר (ge.var)

ge.var

man

H1400 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 16 verses

A:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 16 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:N-M

Word Overview

The Aramaic noun gevar refers to a man or a specific individual, appearing sixteen times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the books of Daniel and Ezra. It functions as the standard term for an adult male person, often serving to identify a particular figure within a narrative or official record.

This word is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew geber, which carries the sense of a "great man" or someone of strength and status. While it generally denotes gender and adulthood, its usage in the royal archives of Ezra highlights its role in identifying specific officials or subjects within the Persian administrative context.

Translators typically render gevar simply as "man" or "a certain one," depending on whether the text emphasizes the person’s identity or their generic presence. In Daniel 4:30, for instance, it identifies the king himself in his moment of pride, grounding the theological lesson in a specific human figure rather than an abstract concept.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

In the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra, this word simply means "man." It identifies specific individuals within royal records or dramatic narratives. You might see it referring to officials in a Persian court or believers facing a fiery furnace. The text uses it to ground big theological moments in real people, not abstract ideas.

When Daniel is brought before the king, this word highlights him as a faithful man of God. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand before Nebuchadnezzar, it points to their courage as men who refused to bow. The word reminds us that God works through ordinary human beings in extraordinary circumstances.

Your faith is not just about grand concepts but about your daily walk. Whether you are in a position of authority or facing pressure from others, this term shows that your identity as a person matters deeply to God. He sees the specific man or woman standing before Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.

men/ the7×
men3×
to/ men/ the1×
and/ to/ men1×
and/ men/ the1×
a man1×
[is] a man1×
[are] men1×
<obj.>/ men/ the1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

גֻּבְרַיָּ֣/א5×
גֻּבְרִ֣ין3×
לְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֥/א1×
לְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֣/א1×
וּ/לְ/גֻבְרִ֤ין1×
וְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֤/א1×
גֻּבְרַיָּ֖/א1×
גֻּבְרַיָּ֔/א1×
גְּבַר֙1×
גְּבַ֜ר1×
גֻבְרִ֨ין1×

Key Verses

Daniel 2:25
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said this to him: “I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah who will make known to the king the interpretation.”

This occurrence identifies Daniel specifically as a captive from Judah, highlighting that God’s wisdom is present even among those in exile.
Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then these men were brought before the king.

The king commands that these specific men be brought forward, emphasizing their personal accountability and courage in the face of royal wrath.
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.”

Nebuchadnezzar sees four men loose in the fire, using this term to describe the physical presence of the believers who were protected by God.
Ezra 4:21
Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.

The decree targets these men to stop the city's rebuilding, showing how political power often tries to silence those who seek to restore worship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does gevar mean in the Bible?

It is an Aramaic noun that translates to "man" or "a certain man." It appears sixteen times in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in Daniel and Ezra. The word identifies adult males in historical or narrative contexts.

How is this word different from other words for man?

This specific term is Aramaic, while the more common Hebrew word is geber (H1397). Both refer to a man, but gevar appears in the official records and dreams recorded in Aramaic. It often carries a sense of standing or presence in a royal setting.

Where does this word appear most often?

It is found primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra. In Daniel, it often describes people in the court or those facing persecution. In Ezra, it appears in official decrees regarding the rebuilding of the temple.

Every Occurrence (16 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 4 verses

Ezra 4:21

Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.

Ezra 5:4

They also asked for the names of the men who were making this building.

Ezra 5:10

We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.

Ezra 6:8

Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of…

Daniel 12 verses