מַעֲבָר (ma.a.var)
ma.a.var
ford
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ma‘avar denotes a place where one crosses over, most commonly referring to a river ford. It describes the specific spot in a waterway shallow enough for people or animals to pass through safely. This concrete image appears frequently in the historical books and prophetic writings, grounding spiritual metaphors in physical reality.
Its root conveys the action of passing through or crossing. The word carries a sense of movement from one side to another, whether describing a literal journey across a river or a broader transition. In Judges 7:5, for instance, Gideon uses the way people drink at a ford to distinguish his troops, highlighting how these crossings were key points of strategy and identity.
Translators typically render ma‘avar as "ford" or "pass," depending on context. The term underscores the idea of transition and access, marking boundaries that must be crossed to reach a new destination. Its usage in Isaiah often links physical crossing with divine intervention, showing how God opens ways where none seemed possible.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
A ford is more than just a shallow spot in a river; it is a place of transition where a journey changes direction. In the ancient world, these crossings were vital for travel and trade, but they also served as critical points of decision and danger. When Scripture mentions a ford, it often highlights moments where people must move from one state of being to another, leaving the old behind to step into the new.
This word reminds us that faith involves movement. We do not stay static; we cross over obstacles, trusting that God provides the way through difficult waters. Whether facing personal challenges or historical shifts, the image of a ford encourages us to look for the path forward with confidence, knowing that our Creator guides our steps even when the current is strong.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] fords of3×
- the/ passes1×
- the/ fords1×
- blow of1×
- and/ the/ fords1×
- [the] pass of1×
- [the] pass1×
- [the] fords1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַעֲבַ֖ר1×
- מַעְבָּרֹ֖ת1×
- מַעְבָּרָ֔ה1×
- מַעְבְּר֥וֹת1×
- מַעְבְּר֤וֹת1×
- מַעְבְּר֣וֹת1×
- מַֽעֲבַר֙1×
- וְ/הַ/מַּעְבָּר֣וֹת1×
- הַֽ/מַּעְבְּר֗וֹת1×
- הַֽ/מַּעְבְּר֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 2:7
The men pursued them along the way to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
This verse shows the ford as a strategic boundary where pursuers are stopped, illustrating how God can use natural features to protect His people.
-
Judges 12:5
The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. Whenever a fugitive of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No;”
Here the ford becomes a test of identity and loyalty, revealing how crossing points can expose the true heart and allegiance of those who approach them.
-
Isaiah 16:2
For it will be that as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so will the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.
The fords of the Arnon represent a place of vulnerability for Moab, showing how geographical crossings can become sites of judgment or refuge depending on God's will.