דִּבְרָה (div.rah)
div.rah
cause
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun dibrah refers to a cause, reason, or manner of doing something. It appears in five verses across the Hebrew Bible, with notable usage in Ecclesiastes, Psalms, and Job. In these contexts, it often points to the underlying logic or method behind an event or action.
While closely related to other Hebrew words for "word" or "thing," dibrah emphasizes the explanatory aspect—why something happens or how it is carried out. For instance, in Ecclesiastes, it helps frame discussions about the reasons behind life's uncertainties. In Job, it can describe the manner in which suffering unfolds or the cause behind divine silence.
Its Aramaic equivalent, also dibrah, shares this meaning of "cause" or "reason." This connection highlights its role in both Hebrew and Aramaic texts as a term for understanding the basis or process of events. Translators often render it as "reason," "manner," or "cause," depending on context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels unpredictable, we often search for a clear reason behind every event. The Hebrew word dibrah reminds us that there is an underlying structure to our experiences, even when it remains hidden from view. It suggests that actions and circumstances are not random but have a cause or manner that can be understood.
This perspective offers comfort during seasons of confusion. Instead of feeling lost in chaos, we can trust that God has established order. Whether facing prosperity or adversity, recognizing that there is a divine purpose helps us navigate uncertainty with peace. We find stability knowing that our lives are held within His sovereign design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reason1×
- plea/ my1×
- cause of1×
- [the] manner of1×
- [the] cause of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דִּבְרָתִֽ/י\׃1×
- דִּבְרַת֙1×
- דִּבְרַ֗ת1×
- דִּבְרַ֖ת1×
- דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 5:8
“But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God,
The speaker commits his cause to God, acknowledging that divine intervention is the ultimate resolution to human trouble.
-
Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
This verse uses the term to explain the reason behind God's creation of both good and bad times, highlighting His sovereign control over circumstances.
-
Ecclesiastes 8:2
I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.
The instruction to keep the king’s command is grounded in the cause of an oath made before God, linking human duty to divine accountability.