Bible Word Study
דִּבְרָה
dibrâh · a reason, suit or style
דִּבְרָה
a reason, suit or style
Definition
The Hebrew noun דִּבְרָה (dibrâh) refers to a 'manner,' 'cause,' or 'reason'—the specific way or rationale behind something. In Ecclesiastes, it often denotes the appointed 'order' or 'manner' of events, such as the divinely set times in Ecclesiastes 3:18 and the proper conduct before a king in Ecclesiastes 8:2. In Job 5:8, it conveys seeking out the 'cause' or 'reason' behind one's circumstances, while in Psalm 110:4, it refers to the immutable 'manner' or 'order' of Melchizedek's priesthood. Thus, the word encompasses both the logical basis for something and its prescribed arrangement.
Biblical Usage
דִּבְרָה appears only five times in the Old Testament, primarily in the wisdom literature of Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes. It is used to discuss the reasoned order behind human and divine actions. For example, in Ecclesiastes 7:14, it refers to the 'manner' in which God has made both good and bad times, highlighting life's unpredictability. The pattern shows it is employed in reflective contexts about purpose, justice, and divine decree.
Etymology
דִּבְרָה is the feminine form of the common masculine noun דָּבָר (dābār, H1697), meaning 'word,' 'thing,' or 'matter.' This derivation suggests a focus on the specific aspect, account, or reasoned detail of a matter. Cognates in other Semitic languages support meanings related to 'back' or 'reason,' indicating a concept of turning something over to examine its basis.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it touches on themes of divine sovereignty and human understanding. In passages like Ecclesiastes 3:18 and 7:14, it points to God's ordained order and the limits of human reason, encouraging trust in His purposes. In Psalm 110:4, it underscores the unchanging nature of God's oath regarding Christ's priesthood. Understanding דִּבְרָה enriches reading by highlighting how biblical wisdom literature probes the 'why' behind life's events, connecting human experience to God's overarching plan. In ancient Israelite culture, the concept of a 'reason' or 'manner' was deeply tied to a worldview that saw events as ordered by divine wisdom or justice, not random. The use in Ecclesiastes 8:2 about conduct before a king reflects the importance of understanding proper protocol and the reasons behind royal decrees in a monarchical society. דָּבָר (dābār, H1697) — a broader term for 'word,' 'matter,' or 'thing,' while דִּבְרָה specifies the reasoned aspect or manner. עֵטֶת (ʿēṯeh, H6256) — 'counsel' or 'plan,' focusing more on advice than reasoned order. מִשְׁפָּט (mišpāṭ, H4941) — 'judgment' or 'ordinance,' emphasizing legal decree rather than general reason.
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]