The Hebrew word gᵉbar, represented by H1399, defines a person or man. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its meaning is derived from its singular use in scripture, where it specifies an individual characterized by their moral standing.
In its sole biblical appearance, H1399 is used to describe an individual in relationship to God. Psalms 18:25 states that with an upright man, God will show Himself upright. This places the term in a context of spiritual character, defining the man not merely by his humanity but by his integrity.
Several related words from its context in Psalms 18:25 help define the character of the man described by H1399:
- H2623 châçîyd (properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint); godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-) godly.): This term describes the character of the merciful individual to whom God shows mercy Psalms 18:25. The Lord sets apart for himself the one who is godly Psalms 4:3.
- H8549 tâmîym (entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth; without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole.): This directly modifies man H1399 in its only appearance, specifying an upright man Psalms 18:25. It is also used to describe God's command for Abram to be perfect Genesis 17:1.
- H8552 tâmam (to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive; accomplish, cease, be clean (pass-) ed, consume, have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to the full, be all gone, [idiom] be all here, be (make) perfect, be spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole.): This verb describes God's reciprocal action: He will shew thyself upright toward the upright man Psalms 18:25. It can also mean to be consumed, as when the LORD's mercies prevent us from being consumed Lamentations 3:22.
- H2616 châçad (properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only in courtesy to an equal), i.e. to be kind; also (by euphemistically, but rarely) to reprove; shew self merciful, put to shame.): This verb describes God's response to the merciful man, promising that he will shew thyself merciful Psalms 18:25.
The theological weight of H1399 is concentrated in its single, powerful context:
- The Principle of Reciprocity: The use of gᵉbar in Psalms 18:25 establishes a clear theological principle: God's dealings with humanity reflect their own character. He shows Himself merciful to the merciful and upright to the upright man Psalms 18:25.
- Morally Defined Identity: The word is not used generically but is qualified by the term tâmîym H8549, meaning "upright." This indicates that, in this context, a man is defined not just by his existence but by his moral and spiritual integrity.
- Standard of Perfection: The descriptor "upright" H8549 connects to the standard God sets for his people. The same word is used for God's command to Abram to "be thou perfect" Genesis 17:1 and for the requirement that a sacrificial offering be without blemish Leviticus 1:3.
In summary, H1399 gᵉbar provides a focused look at the concept of a man defined by his moral state. Though appearing only once, its placement in Psalms 18:25 is significant, highlighting the biblical theme of reciprocity in the relationship between God and humanity. It illustrates that a person's character—specifically their uprightness—is central to how God relates to them.
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