### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **barbur**, represented by `{{H1257}}`, refers to a **fowl**, specifically one that has been fattened on grain. It is a very rare term, appearing just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its meaning is derived from a reduplication of a root related to grain, emphasizing how the fowl was prepared.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The only appearance of `{{H1257}}` is within a detailed list of the immense daily provisions required for King Solomon's royal court. The inventory demonstrates the wealth and opulence of his reign, listing "Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and **fatted** **fowl**" [[1 Kings 4:23]]. The inclusion of **barbur** highlights the variety and luxury of the food served.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context help illuminate the scene of abundance:
* `{{H75}}` **'âbaç** (to fodder): This root word is used to describe the fowl in [[1 Kings 4:23]] as "fatted." It signifies that an animal was deliberately fed and prepared, as in the contrast between a dinner of herbs and a "**stalled** ox" [[Proverbs 15:17]].
* `{{H1277}}` **bârîyʼ** (fatted or plump): This adjective describes the prime **oxen** in Solomon's provisions. It denotes high quality and abundance, as also seen in Pharaoh's dream of "**fatfleshed**" kine [[Genesis 41:18]].
* `{{H1241}}` **bâqâr** (beef cattle): This word for **oxen** or **herd** represents a foundational element of the provisions and of wealth in general. Herds were a sign of blessing and a primary animal for sacrifice ([[Genesis 24:35]], [[Exodus 20:24]]).
* `{{H354}}` **ʼayâl** (hart): Listed alongside the fatted fowl, the **hart** represents the wild game that was also part of the royal diet, underscoring the vast range of foods available [[Deuteronomy 12:15]].
### Theological Significance
The thematic significance of `{{H1257}}` is tied entirely to its singular context:
* **Royal Abundance:** The word is a component in a larger portrait of the immense scale of Solomon's kingdom. The list in [[1 Kings 4:23]] is a tangible measure of the court's prosperity and power.
* **Culinary Sophistication:** The specification of **fatted** fowl, rather than just any bird, points to a level of culinary refinement. It suggests a system of animal husbandry designed to produce luxury food items for the elite.
* **A Picture of Peace and Plenty:** The daily provision of such a diverse and plentiful menu, from domesticated livestock like **oxen** `{{H1241}}` to specially prepared **fowl** `{{H1257}}`, serves as a symbol of the peace and prosperity that defined the nation under Solomon's rule.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1257}}` **barbur** is a highly specific term whose single use provides a powerful snapshot of history. It contributes to one of the Bible's most vivid descriptions of royal wealth, signifying not just a bird, but a specially fattened, luxury food item. Its presence in the record of Solomon's daily table illustrates the peak of the Israelite monarchy's prosperity and abundance.
TRV