Lexical Summary
barah: To eat, consume, choose
Original Word: בָּרָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: barah
Pronunciation: bah-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-raw')
KJV: choose, (cause to) eat, manifest, (give) meat
NASB: eat, choose, food
Word Origin: [a primitive root]
1. to select
2. (as denominative from H1250) to feed
3. (as equivalent to H1305) to render clear (Eccl. 3
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
Definitionto eat
NASB Translationchoose (1), eat (5), food (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (Assyrian
barû & derivatives Zim
BP 31) —
Perfect 2 Samuel 12:17; Imperfect 2 Samuel 13:6,10 eat bread ( 1 Samuel 17:8 scribal error for 1 Kings 18:25 DrSm 107).
Infinitive Lamentations 4:10 for devouring.
Imperfect 2 Samuel 13:5; Infinitive 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.
2. Provision in Crisis: Each context is tense—military standoff, national mourning, familial intrigue, or siege. בָּרָה surfaces where life is threatened and a decisive act of provision stands between survival and loss.
3. Moral Polarity: The same verb frames both righteous and wicked acts. David’s food refusal honors Abner; Amnon’s food scheme facilitates rape; compassionate women of Zion are forced into cannibalism. Scripture thus portrays provision as morally charged, depending on the heart of the provider.
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.
• Grief and Fellowship: Friends sought to strengthen David with food. Wise ministry still offers tangible care, yet recognizes moments when fasting speaks louder than feasting.
• Guarding the Table: Amnon’s manipulation warns that even meals can be exploited. Churches must protect settings of hospitality, especially where the vulnerable serve.
• Judgment and Mercy: Lamentations 4:10 shocks us into praying for repentance long before crisis forces unthinkable choices. Proclaiming both the gravity of sin and the sure provision of Christ is essential.
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 wəṯaḇrênî
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