Lexical Summary abar: beyond, region beyond Original Word: עֲבַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beyond, this side (Aramaic) corresponding to eber -- beyond, this side. see HEBREW eber NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to eber Definition region across or beyond NASB Translation beyond (12), region beyond (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲבַר noun masculine region across, beyond (see Biblical Hebrew I. עֵ֫בֶר √עָבַר); — construct in phrase עֲבַר(ֿ)נַהֲרָה, i.e. Syria (Scheft87): Ezra 4:10,11,17,20; Ezra 5:3,6 (twice in verse); Ezra 6:6 (twice in verse); Ezra 6:8,13; Ezra 7:21,25, נהרא ׳ע Ezra 4:16. compare in Cilician Aramaic, Cooke346. עַד see עדה. below Topical Lexicon Meaning and Geographic Scope עֲבַר is the Hebrew term regularly rendered “Beyond the River” in the Ezra narrative. In every occurrence the “River” is the Euphrates, the great water-boundary that separated the Persian heartland from its western satrapies. Thus, עֲבַר functions less as a compass point and more as a covenant marker: it identifies the land in which the post-exilic community must live out faithfulness while still under foreign imperial control. Biblical Context in Ezra The word appears fourteen times, all in Ezra 4–7. It first surfaces in the adversaries’ correspondence with Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:10-11) and reappears in every royal reply, decree, and report that follows. The Berean Standard Bible repeatedly translates the phrase as “the province beyond the River,” e.g., The repetition does more than give postal directions; it highlights the contested nature of Judah’s restoration and the legal framework within which God’s people must rebuild. Political and Administrative Usage in the Persian Period Persian administration divided its western territories into a single tax district called “Beyond-the-River” (Abar-Nahara). The satrap’s headquarters was likely at Damascus; local governors such as Tattenai (Ezra 5:3) and treasurers such as Shethar-bozenai enforced royal policy. When Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes issue decrees concerning the temple, the scribes consistently state that these orders are to be executed “in all the province beyond the River” (Ezra 6:8, 6:13; 7:21). The term therefore frames Judah’s restoration inside the very structures of the Gentile empire predicted by the prophets (Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 29:10). Theological Implications of “Beyond the River” 1. Providence over Empires: The phrase reminds readers that the same Lord who dried up the Jordan (Joshua 3) now steers the policies of Persia. Imperial edicts unwittingly serve the redemptive plan. Ministry Principles Derived • Respect for Civil Authority: Ezra cooperates with Persian officials, modeling submission “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13) while never compromising worship. Christological Reflections The motif of a people living under a foreign power yet carrying royal authorization to build God’s house foreshadows the church’s mandate. Jesus, the greater Temple (John 2:19-21), sends disciples “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)—territory that is, in effect, always “beyond the River.” Earthly jurisdictions may change, but the King’s decree stands: “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Application for the Church Today Believers often labor within cultural climates that regard them as a mere administrative subset. Like Judah “beyond the River,” the church finds security not in political autonomy but in the unassailable word of the sovereign Lord. Faithful work, respectful dialogue with authorities, and reliance on divine providence remain the pathway to advancing God’s kingdom until the full restoration promised in Revelation 21. Forms and Transliterations בַּעֲבַ֣ר בעבר עֲבַ֣ר עֲבַֽר־ עבר עבר־ ‘ă·ḇar ‘ă·ḇar- ‘ăḇar ‘ăḇar- avar ba‘ăḇar ba·‘ă·ḇar baaVarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:10 HEB: שָׁמְרָ֑יִן וּשְׁאָ֥ר עֲבַֽר־ נַהֲרָ֖ה וּכְעֶֽנֶת׃ NAS: and in the rest of the region beyond the River. KJV: and the rest [that are] on this side the river, INT: of Samaria the rest of the region the River Now Ezra 4:11 Ezra 4:16 Ezra 4:17 Ezra 4:20 Ezra 5:3 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 6:6 Ezra 6:6 Ezra 6:8 Ezra 6:13 Ezra 7:21 Ezra 7:25 14 Occurrences |
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