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דָּבָר (da.var)

da.var

word

H1697 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1,151 verses

H:N-M

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
1,151 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-M

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun davar is a foundational term that begins with the simple idea of a spoken word but expands to cover any matter, event, or thing that can be discussed. Derived from a root meaning "to speak" or "to order," it functions as the linguistic bridge between thought and reality. In the Old Testament, which contains over 1,400 occurrences of this word, davar rarely refers merely to empty sounds; it almost always carries weight, referring to something that has been said, done, or established.

This flexibility allows the word to describe everything from a single syllable to an entire historical event. It can mean a command issued by a king, as seen in the detailed records of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, or it can refer to a legal case or affair requiring judgment. The sources highlight its use in phrases like "the word of the Lord," where it signifies a divine message that demands attention and action, rather than just information.

A key theological point is the connection between speech and existence. Because davar means both "word" and "thing," Hebrew thought does not sharply separate language from reality. When God speaks a davar, it comes into being. This concept underpins the creation narrative in Genesis, where God’s spoken word brings order out of chaos, establishing that His utterances are effective and enduring.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word davar carries a beautiful weight in Scripture, bridging the gap between simple speech and tangible reality. It does not refer to empty sounds or fleeting thoughts; instead, it signifies something that has been spoken, done, or established with purpose. When God speaks a davar, it comes into being, as seen in creation where His word brings order out of chaos. This reminds us that divine promises are not merely ideas but active forces that shape our lives and history.

In your daily walk, this concept offers profound comfort. You can trust that God’s words are reliable and enduring. Whether He speaks a command, a promise, or a correction, it carries the authority of His character. Like Abraham who waited for God’s word to unfold in his life, you too can find stability in knowing that what God says will come to pass. This reliability invites you to rest in His faithfulness rather than worrying about uncertain outcomes.

Even when circumstances seem chaotic, remembering that God’s davar holds power over all things provides peace. It encourages you to listen closely to Scripture and to speak with integrity, knowing that your words also carry weight in the world around you. May you find encouragement in the truth that nothing is too hard for the Lord, and His word remains steadfast through every season.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,151 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • [the] word of142×
  • [the] words of127×
  • the/ words95×
  • the/ word84×
  • [the] matters of82×
  • the/ thing56×
  • a word49×
  • according to/ [the] word of39×
  • the/ matter34×
  • anything32×
  • words/ my31×
  • the/ things27×

Forms in the text

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

  • דִּבְרֵ֥י98×
  • דְּבַר\־89×
  • דְבַר\־67×
  • דִּבְרֵ֣י54×
  • הַ/דָּבָ֣ר45×
  • הַ/דְּבָרִ֣ים40×
  • הַ/דְּבָרִ֖ים36×
  • הַ/דָּבָ֖ר33×
  • הַ/דָּבָ֥ר26×
  • דָּבָֽר\׃24×
  • הַ/דָּבָר֙23×
  • הַ/דָּבָ֔ר23×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 15:1
    After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

    This verse shows God initiating a personal promise to Abram, establishing His word as a source of comfort and divine protection rather than just information.

  • Genesis 24:50
    Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.

    Here the phrase 'the thing proceeds from Yahweh' demonstrates how davar encompasses both spoken words and the underlying events or outcomes that God ordains.

  • Genesis 21:11
    The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.

    The use of davar here for 'the thing' highlights its flexibility, referring to a difficult situation or matter that weighs heavily on Abraham's heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word davar mean?

Davar primarily means 'word,' but it also extends to mean 'thing,' 'matter,' or 'event.' In Hebrew thought, there is no sharp distinction between language and reality, so a spoken word often carries the power to create or define a situation.

How is davar different from other words for speech?

While other terms might focus on the act of speaking or the sound produced, davar emphasizes the content and substance of what is said. It refers to the meaningful message or the resulting event that follows from God's or a person's speech.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

Davar appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, including in Genesis where it describes both God's creative commands and human affairs. It is central to understanding passages like Genesis 15:1, where God's word comes to Abram.

Every Occurrence (1,151 verses across 33 books)

Genesis 57 verses
Genesis 11:1

The whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

Genesis 12:17

Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Genesis 15:1

After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your…

Genesis 15:4

Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body…

Genesis 18:14

Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will…

Genesis 18:25

May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be…

Genesis 19:8

See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…

Genesis 19:21

He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of…

Genesis 19:22

Hurry, escape there, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

Genesis 20:8

Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were…

Genesis 20:10

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?”

Genesis 20:11

Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’

Genesis 20:18

For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Genesis 21:11

The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.

Genesis 21:26

Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”

Genesis 22:1

After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”

Genesis 22:16

and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son,…

Genesis 22:20

After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:

Genesis 24:9

The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Genesis 24:28

The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.

Genesis 24:30

When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…

Genesis 24:33

Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” Laban said, “Speak on.”

Genesis 24:50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.

Genesis 24:52

When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Yahweh.

Genesis 24:66

The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

Genesis 27:34

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father,…

Genesis 27:42

The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him,…

Genesis 29:13

When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and…

Genesis 30:31

Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I…

Genesis 30:34

Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”

Genesis 31:1

Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this…

Genesis 34:14

and said to them, “We can’t do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us.

Genesis 34:18

Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.

Genesis 34:19

The young man didn’t wait to do this thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter, and he was honored above all…

Genesis 37:8

His brothers asked him, “Will you indeed reign over us? Will you indeed have dominion over us?” They hated him all the…

Genesis 37:11

His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.

Genesis 37:14

He said to him, “Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers, and well with the flock; and bring me word again.”…

Genesis 39:7

After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”

Genesis 39:17

She spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to…

Genesis 39:19

When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his…

Genesis 40:1

After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 41:28

That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:32

The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Genesis 41:37

The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

Genesis 42:16

Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is…

Genesis 42:20

Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.

Genesis 43:7

They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still…

Genesis 43:18

The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was…

Genesis 44:2

Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word…

Genesis 44:6

He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.

Genesis 44:7

They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a…

Genesis 44:10

He said, “Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom it is found will be my slave; and you will be…

Genesis 44:18

Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t…

Genesis 44:24

When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

Genesis 45:27

They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry…

Genesis 47:30

but when I sleep with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place.” Joseph said, “I…

Genesis 48:1

After these things, someone said to Joseph, “Behold, your father is sick.” He took with him his two sons, Manasseh and…

Exodus 51 verses
Leviticus 8 verses
Numbers 23 verses
Deuteronomy 77 verses
Joshua 28 verses
Judges 23 verses
Ruth 2 verses
I Samuel 61 verses
II Samuel 58 verses
I Kings 97 verses
II Kings 81 verses
I Chronicles 26 verses
II Chronicles 66 verses
Ezra 14 verses
Nehemiah 27 verses
Esther 35 verses
Job 19 verses
Psalms 50 verses
Proverbs 35 verses
Ecclesiastes 19 verses
Isaiah 44 verses
Jeremiah 182 verses
Daniel 15 verses
Hosea 3 verses
Joel 2 verses
Amos 9 verses
Jonah 5 verses
Micah 3 verses
Zephaniah 2 verses
Haggai 7 verses
Zechariah 19 verses
Malachi 3 verses