Bible Word Study
אַבִּיר
ʼabbîyr · null
אַבִּיר
Definition
The Hebrew word אַבִּיר (ʼabbîyr) primarily means 'strong,' 'mighty,' or 'valiant.' It is used to describe powerful warriors, as in Judges 5:22, where it refers to the 'mighty ones' of the Canaanite army. In a poetic and metaphorical sense, it describes God Himself as the ultimate 'Mighty One' (Psalm 50:13, Psalm 76:5), emphasizing His supreme strength and authority. The word can also refer to strong animals, specifically 'bulls' or 'stallions,' symbolizing raw power and pride, as seen in Psalm 22:12 and Psalm 68:30.
Biblical Usage
אַבִּיר is used 17 times, predominantly in poetic and prophetic books like Psalms and Job. It describes human military might (Judges 5:22, 1 Samuel 21:7), the oppressive power of the wicked (Job 24:22), and, most significantly, the divine power of God. When applied to God, it highlights His invincible strength in judgment and salvation (Psalm 50:13, Psalm 76:5). The usage shifts from literal human/animal strength to a theological title for Yahweh.
Etymology
Derived from the root אָבַר (ʼāvar, H46), meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be mighty.' It is an adjective or noun form that intensifies the sense of strength. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, also carry meanings related to 'strong' or 'bull,' indicating a shared cultural concept of potent, virile power.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as a title for God, 'the Mighty One of Jacob' (Psalm 132:2, 5). It underscores God's sovereign power in contrast to human or earthly strength. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical theme that true, lasting power belongs solely to Yahweh, who defends His people and executes justice. In ancient Near Eastern culture, strength was a primary virtue for leadership and survival. Bulls were symbols of fertility, power, and divine attributes in surrounding pagan religions. Israel's use of אַבִּיר for God appropriates this imagery of supreme strength but transfers it exclusively to Yahweh, distinguishing Him from the impotent gods of the nations. גִּבּוֹר (gibbôr, H1368) — emphasizes a warrior or hero, often human. חָזָק (ḥāzāq, H2389) — focuses on physical or firm strength. עָצוּם (ʿāṣûm, H6099) — denotes mighty or vast in number or power.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]