feminine of כְּבָר; properly, length, i.e. a measure (of uncertain dimension); [idiom] little.
Transliteration:kibrâh
Pronunciation:kib-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כִּבְרָה (kibrâh, `{{H3530}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the root כְּבָר (k'var, `{{H3527}}`), which primarily signifies "already" or "long ago." While the root suggests a sense of duration or extent, כִּבְרָה itself denotes a spatial "length" or "measure." Crucially, the precise dimension of this measure is uncertain, leading to its idiomatic use to describe "a little way" or "a short distance." It does not refer to a specific, quantifiable unit like a cubit or a mile, but rather a relative, undefined proximity. Its semantic range is therefore limited almost exclusively to indicating a short physical distance, emphasizing that a destination or point of separation is not far off.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word כִּבְרָה (kibrâh, `{{H3530}}`) appears infrequently in the Old Testament, but its usage is consistent across its few occurrences, always denoting a short physical distance:
* **[[Genesis 35:16]]**: "Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still a little distance (כִּבְרַת־אֶרֶץ) to come to Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor." Here, כִּבְרַת־אֶרֶץ (kibrat-eretz, "a measure of land") precisely indicates the short remaining journey to Ephrath (which is Bethlehem), setting the immediate stage for Rachel's tragic death during childbirth. The proximity emphasizes the suddenness and inevitability of the event.
* **[[Genesis 48:7]]**: "Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still a little distance (כִּבְרַת־אֶרֶץ) to come to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath." This verse is Jacob's poignant recollection of the same event, reiterating the "little distance" to Ephrath, underscoring the enduring memory of Rachel's death and burial in that specific, nearby location. The repetition highlights the significance of the place relative to the event.
* **[[2 Kings 5:19]]**: "And he said to him, 'Go in peace.' So he departed from him a little distance (כִּבְרַת־אָרֶץ)." This occurrence describes Naaman's departure from Elisha after his miraculous healing and conversion. The phrase "a little distance" (כִּבְרַת־אָרֶץ, kibrat-aretz) indicates that Naaman had not traveled far before Elisha's servant Gehazi, driven by greed, decided to pursue him. It sets up the opportunity for Gehazi's deceit and subsequent judgment, highlighting the immediate aftermath of a significant spiritual encounter.
In all contexts, כִּבְרָה functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying a relatively short, undefined spatial separation, whether it be the remaining journey to a destination or the distance traveled after an event.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which כִּבְרָה (kibrâh, `{{H3530}}`) is derived: כְּבָר (k'var, `{{H3527}}`), meaning "already" or "long ago." While seemingly disparate in meaning (temporal vs. spatial), both terms relate to a concept of extent or duration. כְּבָר refers to a past duration, while כִּבְרָה refers to a short spatial extent. This connection suggests a foundational idea of "measure" or "span."
Other Hebrew terms for distance or measure exist, such as אָמָּה ('ammah, `{{H520}}`), a cubit, or מִדָּה (middah, `{{H4060}}`), a general term for measure. However, כִּבְרָה is distinct in its specific idiomatic use for "a little way" and its inherent imprecision. It is not a standard unit but a descriptive term for proximity. Concepts of "smallness" or "fewness" might be expressed by words like מְעַט (m'at, `{{H4592}}`) or צָעִיר (tsa'ir, `{{H6810}}`), but these generally refer to quantity or youth, whereas כִּבְרָה is exclusively spatial.
### Theological Significance
While כִּבְרָה (kibrâh, `{{H3530}}`) does not carry profound theological weight in terms of divine attributes or salvation history, its usage subtly contributes to the narrative's descriptive power and highlights moments of divine providence or human consequence.
In the Genesis accounts, the phrase "a little distance to Ephrath" marks the precise geographical proximity to a pivotal, sorrowful event: Rachel's death. This seemingly minor detail underscores the immediate, unavoidable nature of the tragedy. It can be seen as a subtle expression of divine timing, where significant life events unfold at specific, appointed places. The "little way" emphasizes that the moment of sorrow and the fulfillment of God's purposes (e.g., the burial of a matriarch in the land) were not far off.
In [[2 Kings 5:19]], the "little distance" Naaman travels after his healing and spiritual turnaround creates the window of opportunity for Gehazi's covetous pursuit. This seemingly innocuous detail becomes crucial to the narrative's unfolding, leading to Gehazi's severe punishment. Here, the "little distance" serves as a narrative device that allows for human moral failure to manifest, revealing the consequences of disobedience and greed even in the immediate aftermath of divine blessing. Thus, while not directly theological, the word functions to set the stage for events that reveal God's justice and the outworking of human choices.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כִּבְרָה (kibrâh, `{{H3530}}`) consistently denotes "a little way" or "a short distance" in the biblical text. Though derived from a root suggesting "extent" or "duration," its specific usage is confined to spatial proximity, without specifying a precise unit of measure. Its limited but poignant occurrences in Genesis highlight the immediate vicinity of Rachel's death, emphasizing the suddenness and significance of the event. In 2 Kings, it marks the short interval during which Gehazi's greed leads to his downfall. While not a word of deep theological exposition itself, כִּבְרָה serves as a crucial narrative detail, underscoring the proximity of key events and the precise timing within the unfolding of divine providence and human action. It enriches the biblical narrative by providing a vivid, albeit undefined, sense of spatial relation.
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