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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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