Lexical Summary barah: To eat, consume, choose Original Word: בָּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance choose, cause to eat, manifest, give meat A primitive root; to select; also (as denominative from bar) to feed; also (as equivalent to barar) to render clear (Eccl. 3:18) -- choose, (cause to) eat, manifest, (give) meat. see HEBREW bar see HEBREW barar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to eat NASB Translation choose (1), eat (5), food (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. בָּרָה verb eat (Assyrian barû & derivatives ZimBP 31) — Qal Perfect 2 Samuel 12:17; Imperfect אֶבְרֶה 2 Samuel 13:6,10 eat bread (בְּרוּלְֿכֶם 1 Samuel 17:8 scribal error for בחרו לכם 1 Kings 18:25 DrSm 107). Pi`el Infinitive לְבָרוֺת Lamentations 4:10 for devouring. Hiph`il Imperfect תַּבְרֵנִי 2 Samuel 13:5; Infinitive לְהַבְרוֺת 2 Samuel 3:35 cause to eat bread. Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning and General Observations בָּרָה weaves two related ideas through Scripture: selecting and sustaining. Whether a warrior is “chosen,” a mourner is urged to “eat,” or food is “prepared,” the term always turns attention to decisive provision—someone or something is set apart so that life might be maintained, protected, or, in times of judgment, tragically consumed. Representative Occurrences 1 Samuel 17:8 – In Goliath’s challenge, Israel is told, “Choose a man for yourselves.” The term underscores the critical, life-and-death nature of that selection. 2 Samuel 3:35 – After Abner’s murder, “all the people came to plead with David to eat bread.” They attempt to provide strength in grief, but David’s vow signals deeper reliance upon the LORD in his mourning fast. 2 Samuel 13:5-10 – Five times the narrative of Amnon and Tamar uses the word as Amnon demands that his sister “prepare” and bring food he can “eat.” The text lays bare how provision meant for nurture is twisted into a setting for sin. Lamentations 4:10 – During the Babylonian siege, “compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food.” The ultimate horror shows provision reversed into destruction when covenant curses fall. Patterns and Theological Motifs 1. Deliberate Choice: Whether selecting a champion (1 Samuel 17) or a specific dish (2 Samuel 13), בָּרָה highlights intentional decisiveness. Calling, not chance, governs the scene. Historical Significance The occurrences cluster in the united-monarchy narratives of Samuel and in the post-exilic lament of Jeremiah. Together they chart Israel’s trajectory from battlefield courage through royal dysfunction to covenant judgment. בָּרָה functions like a barometer: early confidence in the LORD’s chosen servant fades into self-seeking appetite and finally collapses under siege. Ministry Reflections • Leadership: Like Israel before Goliath, congregations must “choose a man” who trusts God rather than size or weaponry. Selection remains a sacred act, not a popularity contest. Christological Horizon Every Old Testament shadow of decisive provision finds its substance in Jesus Christ, the One both chosen by the Father (Luke 9:35) and given as “the bread of life” (John 6:35). Where בָּרָה exposes the failure of human provision, the Gospel announces the unbreakable sufficiency of the Son, who was selected, offered, and received so that His people might “eat and live forever.” Forms and Transliterations בְּרוּ־ ברו־ וְאֶבְרֶ֖ה וְתַבְרֵ֣נִי ואברה ותברני לְבָרוֹת֙ לְהַבְר֧וֹת לברות להברות bə·rū- beru bərū- lə·ḇā·rō·wṯ lə·haḇ·rō·wṯ ləḇārōwṯ ləhaḇrōwṯ lehavRot levarOt veevReh vetavReni wə’eḇreh wə·’eḇ·reh wə·ṯaḇ·rê·nî wəṯaḇrênîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 17:8 HEB: עֲבָדִ֣ים לְשָׁא֔וּל בְּרוּ־ לָכֶ֥ם אִ֖ישׁ NAS: of Saul? Choose a man KJV: to Saul? choose you a man INT: servants Saul choose A man come 2 Samuel 3:35 2 Samuel 13:5 2 Samuel 13:6 2 Samuel 13:10 Lamentations 4:10 6 Occurrences |
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