DAVAR - Word

Intro:

Like Shalom (which means: Peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, tranquility, and safety) “davar” has a richer and deeper meaning than just Word or speech.

Definition:

In Hebrew, the word דבר (davar [dah-vahr]) generally means "word" or "thing", but it also carries a broader range of meanings including "speech," "matter," "event," or "affair". Its usage in the Bible reflects this versatility, often appearing in contexts related to divine communication, human actions, and the unfolding of events.

1. Divine Communication:

"Word of the Lord":.Davar frequently appears in phrases like "the word of the Lord" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה), signifying God's spoken message or revelation.

Prophetic Utterances:.Davar can refer to the words spoken by prophets, conveying God's will or pronouncements. 

2. Human Affairs and Actions:

"Matter" or "Affair": Davar can denote a specific matter, business, or situation. 

"Acts" or "Deeds": In the plural form (דְּבָרִים), it can refer to a person's actions or deeds, both good and bad. 

"Speaking": The verb form of davar (דָּבַר) means "to speak" or "to say". 

3. Contextual Meanings:

"Promise": In some instances, davar can be interpreted as a promise made by God. 

"Command": It can also refer to a divine command or instruction. 

"Things": Davar can be a general term for "things" or "objects". 

Verb Form & Interchangeable:

Dabar (דבר) - Verb [dah-VAHR]:

Means "to speak," "to say," or "to declare".

Often used to describe the act of speaking, especially in a formal or intentional way.

Can also be translated as "to talk," "to command," "to promise," or "to threaten," depending on the context.

Deeper Dive:

The flexibility of "davar" highlights a profound connection between words and reality in ancient Hebrew thought. Words are not merely abstract sounds; they are seen as having substance and the power to shape events and define things. This is particularly evident in the concept of God's Word as the force behind creation. 

In Hebrew, the word "Davar" (דָּבָר) can refer to "word," "speech," or "thing." While it's commonly used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a general word or statement, it can also be used to signify God's word, particularly in the sense of His creative power and active will. When God speaks, His word brings about what He intends, signifying a connection between "word" and "deed". 

Related Terms:

"Le-Daber":The Hebrew verb "Le-Daber" (לדבר) means "to speak," and is frequently used in the Hebrew Bible, often in the context of commands or pronouncements. 

1. "Dabar" as "Word, Talk, or Thing":

The most common and fundamental meaning of "dabar" is "word" or "talk".

It can also encompass the idea of a "thing" or "matter," reflecting the belief that God's words have substance and bring things into existence.

For example, in Genesis 15:1, the "Word of the LORD" (dabar YHWH) comes to Abram. In this context, Abarim Publications notes that "dabar" signifies not only the words spoken to Abram but also the reality and promises they embody. 

2. "Le-dabar" as "To Speak" or "To Say":

The prefix "le-" (ל) when added to "dabar" forms the infinitive "le-dabar," meaning "to speak" or "to say".

This form is used frequently in the Bible to describe the act of speaking, often in the context of divine commands or prophetic messages.

For instance, in Exodus 9:1, the verbal form of "dabar" is used to convey a future "speech" to Pharaoh, Bible & Archaeology explains. 

3. "Dabar" as God's Active and Creative Word:

Beyond its literal translation, "dabar" also signifies God's active and creative power. When God speaks, things happen and creation unfolds. This is seen in the creation account in Genesis 1. Isaiah 55:11 further illustrates this idea of God's word accomplishing His will. 

4. "Le-dabar" in the Context of Prophecy:

In prophetic books, "the word of the LORD" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, deḇar-YHWH) introduces divine messages, highlighting their divine authority. Jeremiah 1:4 is an example of this usage, indicating a direct revelation from God. 

5. "Dabar" and the Logos:

The concept of "dabar" in the Old Testament relates to the New Testament term "Logos," which also refers to the Word of God, particularly Jesus Christ. John 1:1, 3, and 14 connect Jesus to the creative power of God's Word (dabar). 

In summary, "le-dabar" and its root "dabar" represent God's active, creative, authoritative, and revelatory Word, which brings about His will and purposes.

Examples in Scriptures:

Genesis 15:1:."After these things (הדבר׳ם) the word (דבר) of the LORD came to Abram..." 

Genesis 22:16 “and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing (דבר) and have not withheld your son, your only son,”

Judges 3:20–21: “And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message (דבר) from God for you.” And he arose from his seat. And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.”

Jeremiah 1:4: “Now the word (דבר) of the Lord came to me, saying,”

Jeremiah 32:27:."See, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything (דבר) too hard for me?" 

Psalm 105:27:."...and wonders in the land of Ham, and terrible things (דְּבָרִים) in the land of Egypt." KJV

Psalm 65:4:."Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness (דבר)s of thy house, even of thy holy temple." (Here, "goodness" is translated from דִּבְרֵי טוֹבָה, "good things" or "good deeds")  KJV

Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word (דבר) of our God will stand forever.”

Isaiah 55:10–11: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word (דבר) be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

New Testament:

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (דבר) that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word (דבר) of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

John 1:1–5 “In the beginning was the Word (דבר), and the Word (דבר) was with God, and the Word (דבר) was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:14 “And the Word (דבר) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth (implied דבר), and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Romans 3:4 “By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words (דבר), and prevail when you are judged.””

Food for Thought:

What God says comes to pass because His Word is not just a voice but has power and action. So every promise in scripture is one God will fulfill. What promises in scripture are you not standing on?

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God (דבר), read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed.

Luke 4:18 ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,”

John 8:34–36 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Are you really free from sin? Besetting sin? I heard a commentary this week that we are aren’t free because we do not believe God’s Word over what the enemy and we tell ourselves.

Or to put it another way we listen to the voices in our heads rather that speak God’s Word over our lives.

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Are you a conqueror?

John 14:12 ““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

Are you doing the things Jesus did? Or more?

John 14:13–14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

If everything you prayed for in the last week was answered by God with a resounding YES, how many friends and family would be saved? How would the world look differently? Should we be so bold to ask for the miraculous?