the same as עָבוּר; passed, i.e. kept over; used only of stored grain; old corn.
Transliteration:ʻâbûwr
Pronunciation:aw-boor'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word עָבוּר (ʻâbûwr, `{{H5669}}`) is derived from the verbal root עָבַר (ʿābar, `{{H5674}}`), meaning "to pass over" or "to cross." As a noun or adjective, ʻâbûwr specifically denotes something that has "passed over" a period of time, thus becoming "kept over" or "old." Its semantic range is remarkably narrow, being exclusively applied to "stored grain" or "old corn." This precision indicates not merely age, but a state of preservation and readiness for consumption, implying a previous harvest and storage. While its primary meaning is "old grain," the context of [[Leviticus 23:14]] suggests a broader application to "produce" or "grain" that has been harvested and is ready for consumption, whether old or newly gathered, but specifically that which has "passed" into the possession of the harvester. The core idea remains "that which has passed" – either into storage from a previous season (old) or into the current harvest (new produce).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ʻâbûwr (`{{H5669}}`) appears in a few significant contexts in the Hebrew Bible.
1. **Joshua 5:11-12:** This passage provides the most vivid and theologically rich context for ʻâbûwr. Upon entering the Promised Land and celebrating Passover, the Israelites ate "of the produce of the land" (מֵעֲבוּר הָאָרֶץ) on the day after the Passover, specifically "unleavened cakes and parched grain" (מַצּוֹת וְקָלוּי). The very next day, after they had eaten "of the produce of the land" (מֵעֲבוּר הָאָרֶץ), the manna ceased. This ʻâbûwr here refers to the stored grain and agricultural yield of Canaan, which the Israelites now possessed. The cessation of manna marks a profound transition from miraculous, daily wilderness provision to sustenance derived from the natural bounty of the land, a fulfillment of God's promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey.
2. **Leviticus 23:14:** Here, ʻâbûwr is used in the context of the Feast of Firstfruits. The verse states, "And you shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh ears until this very day, until you have brought the offering of your God." The ʻâbûwr in this context refers to the newly harvested grain, specifically "parched grain" (קָלוּי) or "fresh ears" (כַּרְמֶל), which were forbidden for consumption until the firstfruits offering was presented to the Lord. While the primary definition emphasizes "old corn," this usage highlights the concept of "produce that has been brought in" or "harvested grain," emphasizing the sanctity and divine claim over the first of the harvest.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **עָבַר (ʿābar, `{{H5674}}`):** The foundational verbal root, meaning "to pass over," "to pass through," or "to cross." This root highlights the temporal aspect of ʻâbûwr – grain that has "passed" from one state (growing) to another (harvested and stored/ready).
* **Manna:** The miraculous bread from heaven that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Its cessation in [[Joshua 5:12]] is directly linked to the consumption of ʻâbûwr, underscoring a shift in God's mode of provision.
* **Firstfruits:** The concept of offering the initial portion of the harvest to God, as seen in [[Leviticus 23:14]]. This practice acknowledges God's sovereignty over the land and its produce and consecrates the entire harvest.
* **Promised Land:** The land of Canaan, described as a land of abundance. The ʻâbûwr represents the tangible fulfillment of God's promise of a fertile land for His people.
* **Harvest:** The agricultural act of gathering crops, which directly produces ʻâbûwr.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻâbûwr is deeply intertwined with themes of divine provision, covenant fulfillment, and the sanctity of creation.
1. **Divine Provision and Transition:** In [[Joshua 5:11-12]], ʻâbûwr symbolizes a pivotal moment in salvation history. It marks the transition from God's miraculous, direct daily provision (manna) to His provision through the natural order of creation within the Promised Land. This shift does not imply a diminished divine role but rather a new mode of sustenance, one that involves human labor (sowing, reaping, storing) yet remains utterly dependent on God's blessing upon the land. It signifies the establishment of Israel as a settled agricultural people under God's covenant.
2. **Covenant Faithfulness:** The ability to eat the ʻâbûwr of Canaan is a tangible sign of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land, with its abundant produce, is the inheritance granted by a faithful God.
3. **Sanctity and Consecration:** [[Leviticus 23:14]] highlights the principle of firstfruits, emphasizing that the ʻâbûwr (new produce) of the land must be consecrated to God before it can be consumed by the people. This underscores the theological truth that all blessings, especially the sustenance derived from the land, originate from God and are to be acknowledged and honored through obedience and worship. It teaches dependence on God and the sacredness of His gifts.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עָבוּר (ʻâbûwr, `{{H5669}}`) signifies "old grain" or "stored produce," derived from the root "to pass over." Its most profound theological impact is found in [[Joshua 5:11-12]], where its consumption marks Israel's transition from miraculous wilderness provision (manna) to sustenance from the fertile Promised Land, symbolizing God's faithfulness and a new phase of divine provision. In [[Leviticus 23:14]], it refers to new harvest produce, emphasizing the sacred principle of firstfruits and the necessity of consecrating God's gifts before partaking. In essence, ʻâbûwr encapsulates themes of God's consistent provision, the fulfillment of His covenant promises, and the sanctity of agricultural produce in the life and worship of Israel.
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