Topical Encyclopedia The Kebar, also spelled Chebar, is a significant river mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Ezekiel. It is most notably recognized as the location where the prophet Ezekiel received his divine visions from God. The river is associated with the Babylonian exile, a pivotal period in Israelite history.Biblical References: The primary biblical reference to the Kebar is found in the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:1 states, "In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God." This passage marks the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry and underscores the significance of the Kebar as a place of divine revelation. Ezekiel 3:15 further mentions, "Then I came to the exiles at Tel Abib, who lived by the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—overwhelmed." This indicates that the Kebar was not only a geographical location but also a community of exiles, highlighting the river's role as a center for the displaced Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. Historical and Geographical Context: The Kebar River is believed to be a canal or tributary of the Euphrates River, located in the region of ancient Babylonia, present-day Iraq. The exact identification of the Kebar is uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been part of the extensive network of waterways that supported agriculture and trade in Mesopotamia. During the Babylonian exile, many Israelites were settled in areas near the Kebar, where they lived and worked under Babylonian rule. This period of exile was a time of great trial and transformation for the Jewish people, as they were removed from their homeland and faced the challenge of maintaining their faith and identity in a foreign land. Theological Significance: The Kebar River holds theological importance as the setting for Ezekiel's prophetic visions, which conveyed messages of judgment, hope, and restoration to the exiled Israelites. Ezekiel's visions by the Kebar include the famous vision of the "wheel within a wheel" and the appearance of the glory of the Lord, as described in Ezekiel 1:4-28. These visions served to remind the Israelites of God's sovereignty and presence, even in exile. The Kebar thus symbolizes a place of divine encounter and revelation, where God communicated His plans and purposes to His people through the prophet Ezekiel. Cultural and Spiritual Impact: The experiences of the Israelites by the Kebar River have had a lasting impact on Jewish and Christian thought. The themes of exile, repentance, and divine faithfulness found in Ezekiel's prophecies continue to resonate with believers who face trials and seek assurance of God's presence in their lives. The Kebar serves as a reminder of God's ability to reach His people in the midst of their struggles and to provide guidance and hope, even in the most challenging circumstances. Strong's Hebrew 3529. Kebar -- a river of Bab.... 3528, 3529. Kebar. 3530 . a river of Bab. Transliteration: Kebar Phonetic Spelling: (keb-awr') Short Definition: Chebar. Word ... /hebrew/3529.htm - 6k 3528. kebar -- already Library The Iranian Conquest Thesaurus Kebar (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Kebar (8 Occurrences). Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the ... /k/kebar.htm - 8k Kedar (11 Occurrences) Kazin (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Kebar (8 Occurrences)Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:3 Ezekiel 3:15 Ezekiel 3:23 Ezekiel 10:15 Ezekiel 10:20 Ezekiel 10:22 Ezekiel 43:3 Subtopics Related Terms Nebuchadrez'zar (31 Occurrences) |