בָּרַר

bârar /baw-rar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select
KJV usagemake bright, choice, chosen, cleanse (be clean), clearly, polished, (shew self) pure(-ify), purge (out).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bârar, represented by H1305, is a primitive root that signifies the act of clarifying, examining, and selecting. It appears 18 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its meanings are diverse, including to cleanse, purge, make bright, or to identify something as choice or polished.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H1305 conveys a process of separation and refinement. It is used to describe God's work of purifying His people through trials, as seen in the prophecy that many shall be purified Daniel 12:10. This same concept applies to the purging of rebels from among Israel Ezekiel 20:38. The word also denotes selection for a specific purpose, such as the chosen men who were appointed as porters 1 Chronicles 9:22 or the choice and mighty men of valour from the tribe of Asher 1 Chronicles 7:40. In other contexts, it can mean making something ready, like when Jeremiah is told to "Make bright the arrows" Jeremiah 51:11, or restoring clarity, as when God promises a pure language to the people Zephaniah 3:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illustrate the concepts of purity and refinement associated with H1305:

  • H6884 tsâraph (to fuse (metal), i.e. refine): This word for refining or trying, as with metal, is used alongside H1305 to describe the process the righteous will endure. In Daniel, many will be purified H1305, made white, and tried H6884 Daniel 12:10.
  • H3835 lâban (to be (or become) white): This term for making white is directly linked to the purifying action of H1305. The purpose of the trials in Daniel is to purge H1305 and to make them white H3835 Daniel 11:35.
  • H1368 gibbôwr (powerful; by implication, warrior): This word describes the character of those who are deemed "choice." In 1 Chronicles, the heads of the house of Asher are described as choice H1305 and mighty men H1368 of valour 1 Chronicles 7:40.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1305 is significant, highlighting God's meticulous work in His creation and with His people.

  • Divine Selection: The term underscores that God chooses and sets apart individuals for specific roles and service. This is not a random act but a deliberate selection of those deemed choice, such as the porters ordained by David and Samuel 1 Chronicles 9:22 or those appointed to give thanks to the Lord 1 Chronicles 16:41.
  • Spiritual Purification: The word points to a process of moral and spiritual cleansing. God purges out those who rebel against Him Ezekiel 20:38 and uses trials to purge and purify His people Daniel 11:35. This action is necessary for those who bear the vessels of the Lord, who are commanded to be ye clean Isaiah 52:11.
  • Preparation for a Purpose: H1305 is used to describe making an instrument or person ready for a divine task. This can be literal, such as making arrows bright for battle Jeremiah 51:11, or figurative, as when God makes his servant a polished shaft, hidden in His quiver Isaiah 49:2.

Summary

In summary, H1305 is a dynamic word that encompasses the concepts of purification, selection, and preparation. It moves beyond simple cleansing to describe God's deliberate actions of choosing the best, refining His people through trials, and making them fit for His service. From the choice sheep for a governor's table Nehemiah 5:18 to the people made pure in the end times Daniel 12:10, bârar reveals a God who is intimately involved in making things right, clean, and perfectly suited for His purpose.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 18 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 3×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Hithpael Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Plural Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Feminine Absolute 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in 1 Chronicles (3 verses).

1
2 Samuel
3
1 Chronicles
1
Nehemiah
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Ecclesiastes
2
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel
2
Daniel
1
Zephaniah

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