the same as כְּבָר; length; Kebar, a river of Mesopotamia; Chebar. Compare חָבוֹר.
Transliteration:Kᵉbâr
Pronunciation:keb-awr'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3529}}` (כְּבָר, Kᵉbâr) functions primarily as a proper noun, identifying a specific geographical feature: the Chebar River. According to the Strong's definition, it is "the same as `{{H3528}}`," which carries the meaning of "length" or "already, long ago." While the etymological root may suggest a connection to "length," perhaps indicating a long river or a place of extended dwelling, its semantic range in biblical usage is strictly limited to its designation as a particular waterway in Mesopotamia. It does not carry a broader conceptual meaning or metaphorical application beyond its identity as a physical location. Thus, its core meaning is its proper name, functioning as a geographical marker within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Chebar River is mentioned exclusively within the book of Ezekiel, serving as a pivotal geographical setting for the prophet's visions and ministry. Its occurrences are concentrated in the opening chapters, establishing the location of Ezekiel's call and subsequent prophetic activity among the exiles.
* [[Ezekiel 1:1]]: "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God." This verse immediately establishes the Chebar as the locus of divine revelation and the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic commission.
* [[Ezekiel 1:3]]: "The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him." This reiterates the precise location of God's encounter with Ezekiel, emphasizing that divine presence and communication were not confined to Jerusalem or the Temple.
* [[Ezekiel 3:15]]: "Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days." Here, the Chebar marks the general area where the exiles resided, indicating Ezekiel's deep immersion in their plight and his shared experience of displacement.
* [[Ezekiel 3:23]]: "Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river Chebar: and I fell on my face." This verse confirms the Chebar as the site of a foundational encounter with God's glory, serving as a reference point for subsequent divine manifestations.
* [[Ezekiel 10:15]]: "And the cherubims mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar."
* [[Ezekiel 10:20]]: "This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims."
* [[Ezekiel 10:22]]: "And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward." These verses in Ezekiel 10 explicitly link the vision of the cherubim and the divine chariot-throne to the initial encounter at the Chebar, underscoring the continuity and foundational nature of that revelation.
* [[Ezekiel 43:3]]: "And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face." Even in a later vision concerning the new temple, the Chebar vision remains the benchmark for understanding the majesty of God's glory.
Contextually, the Chebar River is significant because it is a river in Babylon, a land of exile for the Judeans. It represents a place of forced displacement, yet it becomes the very location where God chooses to reveal Himself powerfully to His prophet. This challenges the conventional understanding that God's presence was confined to the Temple in Jerusalem.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Strong's definition for `{{H3529}}` explicitly invites comparison with `{{H2249}}` (חָבוֹר, Habor), another river in Mesopotamia mentioned in connection with the Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom of Israel ([[2 Kings 17:6]], [[2 Kings 18:11]]). Both the Chebar and the Habor are rivers associated with the deportation of God's people to foreign lands, serving as geographical markers of their captivity.
Concepts closely related to the Chebar include:
* **Exile (גָּלוּת, `{{H1546}}`):** The river defines the physical location of the Judean exiles, underscoring their displacement from their homeland.
* **Divine Presence in Exile:** The Chebar becomes a profound symbol that God's presence is not limited by geography or political circumstances. He is with His people even in a foreign land.
* **Prophetic Calling:** The river is the setting for Ezekiel's call, highlighting that God's prophetic word can emerge from unexpected places and circumstances of hardship.
* **Mesopotamia/Babylon:** The broader geographical and political context of the Chebar places it firmly within the Babylonian empire, the locus of Judah's captivity.
* **Glory of God (כָּבוֹד, `{{H3519}}`):** The visions at the Chebar are primarily characterized by the manifestation of God's glory, demonstrating His transcendence and immanence even in judgment.
### Theological Significance
The Chebar River holds immense theological significance, primarily because it serves as the backdrop for Ezekiel's initial and foundational encounter with the glory of God.
1. **God's Sovereignty Beyond Sacred Space:** The most profound theological implication is that God's presence and power are not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem or the land of Israel. He meets His prophet in the land of the Chaldeans, by a foreign river, demonstrating His universal sovereignty and His ability to be present with His people even in judgment and exile. This challenged the prevailing theological assumption that God's activity was exclusively tied to specific geographical or cultic locations.
2. **Divine Faithfulness in Judgment:** The fact that God reveals Himself to Ezekiel by the Chebar signifies His enduring covenant faithfulness. Even in the midst of severe judgment and dispersion, God does not abandon His people. He raises up a prophet among them, providing guidance, hope, and a vision for future restoration. The river of exile becomes a river of revelation.
3. **The Nature of Prophetic Ministry:** Ezekiel's ministry, initiated at the Chebar, underscores that God's word can come forth from unexpected and even desolate places. It emphasizes the prophet's role as one who shares the experience of the exiles, yet is uniquely called to mediate God's message to them in their dire circumstances.
4. **Redefinition of "Sacred":** The Chebar, an ordinary river in a foreign land, is sanctified by the divine encounter. This subtly shifts the understanding of what constitutes "sacred space," suggesting that where God chooses to reveal Himself, that place becomes holy, regardless of its previous status.
### Summary
The Hebrew term `{{H3529}}` (כְּבָר, Kᵉbâr) designates the Chebar River, a specific waterway in Mesopotamia where the Judean exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, were settled. Though its name may etymologically relate to "length," its biblical significance is entirely tied to its identity as a geographical locus. Occurring exclusively in the book of Ezekiel, the Chebar serves as the pivotal setting for Ezekiel's initial prophetic call and his profound visions of God's glory. Theologically, the Chebar powerfully demonstrates God's unconfined sovereignty, His presence with His people even in exile, and His enduring faithfulness amidst judgment. It challenges the notion of God being bound to specific sacred sites, revealing that He meets His chosen servants and reveals His truth even in foreign lands, transforming a place of captivity into a site of divine encounter and revelation.
TRV