מִבְחוֹר (miv.chor)
miv.chor
choice
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mivchor means choice, specifically referring to something selected as the best or finest. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in 2 Kings (19:23 and 2 Chronicles 32:19), where it describes the pride of Assyrian kings who boast about selecting their own gods and lands. The word emphasizes human agency in picking what is deemed superior.
Lexical sources note that this spelling is a variant of mivchar (H4005). While both terms share the core idea of selection, mivchor focuses on the act or result of choosing something out as excellent. In its biblical context, it highlights arrogance: rulers claiming they have chosen their own destiny and deities, rather than submitting to the God of Israel.
This rare word underscores a theological contrast in Scripture. Human choice is often portrayed as limited or misguided when set against divine sovereignty. The Assyrian kings’ use of such language serves as a foil to the humility required before Yahweh, who alone chooses and saves.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mivchor points to something selected as the very best. It describes a careful pick, set apart from the ordinary because it is superior in quality or value. When we encounter this term, we see humans actively deciding what deserves their attention and effort.
In Scripture, this act of choosing carries weight. The Assyrian king used it to boast about his own power, claiming he could pick his own gods and lands. This stands in sharp contrast to the humility required before God. We do not choose our salvation; He chooses us. His selection is based on love, not our merit.
Let this remind you that your worth comes from being chosen by Him. You are not left to scramble for approval or try to earn a place. Instead, rest in the truth that you are valued and held by the One who makes all things new.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- choice1×
- [the] choice of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִבְח֣וֹר1×
- מִבְח֔וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 19:23
By your messengers, you have defied the Lord, and have said, “With the multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon, and I will cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypress trees; and I will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field.
This verse shows the word describing the king's arrogant claim to select his own spiritual authorities and territories, highlighting human pride against divine sovereignty.
-
II Kings 3:19
You shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’”
Here the term refers to fortified cities selected for destruction, illustrating the thoroughness of judgment on what humanity considers strong or valuable.