Bible Word Study
בַּרְבֻּר
barbur · a fowl (as fattened on grain)
בַּרְבֻּר
a fowl (as fattened on grain)
Definition
בַּרְבֻּר (barbur) refers to a type of fowl, specifically one that is fattened on grain, likely for consumption. The term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Kings 4:23 (in some versions, 1 Kings 5:3), where it is listed among the lavish provisions for King Solomon's table. The word's meaning is derived from its context as a choice, domesticated bird, distinct from wild game. No other biblical passages use this word, so its meaning is consistent and singular.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in 1 Kings 4:23, within a detailed inventory of the daily food supply for Solomon's royal household. It appears alongside other luxury items like oxen, sheep, deer, and gazelles, indicating it was a prized, fattened poultry served for feasting. The context is one of royal abundance and prosperity during Solomon's reign.
Etymology
The word בַּרְבֻּר is a reduplicated form derived from the root בָּר (bar, H1250), meaning 'clean,' 'pure,' or 'grain.' This reduplication suggests a sense of 'fattened' or 'plump,' likely referring to birds fed on clean grain. Cognates in other Semitic languages also point to meanings related to fattening or whitening, emphasizing the bird's prepared, choice quality.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, fattened fowl like the barbur were considered a luxury food, accessible primarily to royalty or the wealthy. Their inclusion in Solomon's provisions highlights the opulence and peace of his kingdom, as described in 1 Kings 4:20-28. This contrasts with everyday diets, underscoring the king's vast resources and God's fulfillment of promises of prosperity during Solomon's rule. עוֹף (oph, H5775) — a general term for bird or fowl, often wild. צִפּוֹר (tsippor, H6833) — a small bird, sparrow, or泛指 bird. תַּרְנְגוֹל (tarnagol, H0) — a rooster or chicken (later Hebrew, not in biblical text).
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]