### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **gᵉbar**, represented by `{{H1400}}`, is a term for a **person** or **man**. It appears 21 times across 20 unique verses in the Bible. It is used to refer to individuals or groups of people, often within the context of royal courts and decrees.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1400}}` is used to identify individuals and groups in the books of Daniel and Ezra. It frequently appears in high-stakes situations before kings. For instance, it describes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the **men** cast into the fiery furnace [[Daniel 3:23]], and Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment at seeing four **men** walking loose inside it [[Daniel 3:25]]. The word also identifies the conspirators who plot against Daniel ([[Daniel 6:5]], [[Daniel 6:11]]) and refers to Daniel himself as a remarkable **man** possessing divine wisdom [[Daniel 5:11]]. It is also used more generally to identify the builders in Ezra [[Ezra 5:4]] and those who are the subject of royal commands [[Ezra 4:21]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide further context for the types of **men** described:
* `{{H1401}}` **gibbâr** (mighty): An intensive form of **gᵉbar**, this term denotes a warrior or valiant individual. It is used to describe the "most mighty **men**" in Nebuchadnezzar's army who were commanded to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego [[Daniel 3:20]].
* `{{H1123}}` **bên** (son): This word for a **son** or child is used in conjunction with `{{H1400}}` to describe the complete destruction of the families of Daniel's accusers, where the **men** were cast into the lions' den along with their **children** [[Daniel 6:24]].
* `{{H3779}}` **Kasday** (Chaldean): This term specifies a particular group of people. In [[Daniel 3:8]], it is used to identify the "certain **men**" who were **Chaldeans** that accused the Jews before the king.
### Theological Significance
The narrative significance of `{{H1400}}` is primarily seen in how these **men** function within the conflicts between human kingdoms and divine authority.
* **Objects of Divine Deliverance:** The word is central to the account of the fiery furnace, where the survival of the three **men** serves as a powerful testament to the power of their God over the king's decree. The appearance of a fourth **man** described as "like the Son of God" elevates the event beyond mere survival to a divine encounter [[Daniel 3:25]].
* **Instigators of Conflict:** `{{H1400}}` is used to label the antagonists who conspire against God's faithful servants. These are the **men** who seek to find fault with Daniel concerning the law of his God [[Daniel 6:5]] and the Chaldean **men** who accuse the Jews [[Daniel 3:8]].
* **Focus of Royal Decrees:** The word consistently appears in the context of royal commands. Whether being ordered to their execution [[Daniel 3:20]], commanded to stop their work [[Ezra 4:21]], or designated to receive provisions [[Ezra 6:8]], these **men** are often portrayed as subjects under the absolute power of a king.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1400}}` **gᵉbar** is more than a simple Aramaic term for **man**. It functions as a key narrative marker in Daniel and Ezra, identifying the central figures in confrontations between earthly power and divine sovereignty. Whether referring to the faithful who endure persecution, the officials who witness miracles, or the conspirators who oppose God's people, **gᵉbar** consistently places human individuals at the heart of pivotal moments in biblical history.
TRV