This collection is not a course in Hebrew grammar, but a series of studies designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Word and grow in their spiritual edification. The goal is not to provide linguistic tools, but to take the reader on a journey that, week by week, addresses fundamental themes of faith, going back to the origins and roots of the biblical text. Each study invites reflection, confrontation with the Scriptures, and allowing oneself to be transformed by the richness of the Word.
Week after week, these meetings offer a journey through essential themes of faith, with a close look at the origins and deep meaning of Scripture. This is not an academic journey, but an invitation to be edified by the Word, discovering how it can still speak vividly and relevantly today. The topics covered are chosen to stimulate personal and community growth, offering food for thought and tools for living one’s faith experience with greater awareness. Each installment presents a summary sheet and delves into a word that is a foundation for faith. We begin our journey .
POINT 1
DABAR (דָּבָר) – The Word that acts
In Western thought, speech is often just communication.
In biblical thought, however, the word is action.
Hebrew uses an extraordinary term to express this concept: DABAR.
דָּבָר (Dābār) – “Word/Event”
1) Why “DABAR” is essential.
In biblical Hebrew, “word” is not just sound or information: it is often effective reality, “said” that becomes “done.” This does not mean that every human word “creates,” but that God’s Word has an active, reliable, performative character.
2) Lexical board (Strong + BDB)
Let us delve into the meaning of the word by consulting the Brown – Driver – Briggs one of the most important lexicons of biblical Hebrew .
A) דָּבָר – dābār
– Strong: H1697
– Form: masculine noun
– Semantic field (BDB, s.v. דָּבָר):
1. word, speech, utterance (word, speech)
2. thing, affair, matter (matter, affair, thing)
3. event/fact related to what was said (in various narrative and legal contexts)
BDB note (in summary): the term covers both the act of speaking and “the thing” being spoken of, up to and including “the matter” or resulting “reality.”
B) דָּבַר – dābar (verbal root: “to speak”)
– Strong: H1696
– BDB (s.v. דָּבַר): “to speak” (often in solemn register), sometimes “to declare/order.”
C) אָמַר – ‘āmar (“to say”)
– Strong: H559
– BDB (s.v. אָמַר): “to say, declare, order” (very common verb).
In Genesis 1, “God said” is וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyō’mer) by אָמַר (H559), while “word/event” is often expressed by דָּבָר (H1697) in other contexts.
3) Key texts in Hebrew (with focus on terms).
(1) Genesis 1:3 – the creative word
Hebrew:
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי-אוֹר׃
Transliteration (simple):
vayyō’mer ‘ĕlōhîm: yehî ‘ôr; vayyĕhî-‘ôr.
Terms (Strong):
– וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyō’mer) = “and said” ← אָמַר H559
– אֱלֹהִים (‘ĕlōhîm) ← H430
– יְהִי (yehî) “be” ← (from היה “to be”) H1961
– אוֹר (‘ôr) “light” ← H216
📌 Exegetical point: the text sets up a “word” that produces reality: “let it be … and it was.”
(2) Psalm 33:6 – creation and “word” of the Lord
Hebrew:
בִּדְבַר יְהוָה שָׁמַיִם נַעֲשׂוּ וּבְרוּחַ פִּיו כָּל-צְבָאָם׃
Transliteration:
bidvar YHWH shamayim na’ăsû; ûverûaḥ pîw kol-tseva’ām.
Terms (Strong):
– בִּדְבַר (bidvar) = “by the word of” ← דָּבָר H1697
– יְהוָה (YHWH) ← H3068
– רוּחַ (rûaḥ) “breath/spirit” ← H7307
– פֶּה (peh) “mouth” ← H6310
Exegetical point: poetic parallelism “word/breath” as instruments of creative action.
(3) Isaiah 55:11 – the word that fulfills the purpose
Hebrew:
כֵּן יִהְיֶה דְבָרִי אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מִפִּי לֹא-יָשׁוּב אֵלַי רֵיקָם כִּי אִם-עָשָׂה אֶת-אֲשֶׁר חָפַצְתִּי וְהִצְלִיחַ אֲשֶׁר שְׁלַחְתִּיו׃ שְׁלַחְתִּיו׃
Transliteration:
kēn yihyeh devārî…
Terms (Strong):
– דְבָרִי (devārî) “my word” ← דָּבָר H1697
– יֵצֵא (yētsē’) “goes out” ← H3318
– רֵיקָם (rēqām) “empty, without effect.” ← H7387
– חָפֵץ (ḥāfēts) “to desire, to please.” ← H2654
– הִצְלִיחַ (hitslîaḥ) “to succeed/prosper” ← H6743
Exegetical point: “my word” is described as sent and finalized (teleological): it does not return “empty.”
4) Exegetical reading: what does DABAR “do”?
In many biblical contexts, דָּבָר is more than “speech.”
1. Revelation: what God communicates about Himself and His will.
2. Command: word that demands response (obedience)
3. Promise: word that grounds hope (faith)
4. Judgment/correction: word that unmasks and realigns
5. Event: word that enters history and produces consequences
In summary (BDB setting): “word” → “issue/fact” → “event,” because in the biblical world the word (especially divine) is linked to reality.
5) Theological bridge to the NT
Unforced: Logos (John 1) is not “translation” of dābār, but the NT presents Christ as the personal Word of God.
– In the OT: God speaks and creates/leads.
– In the NT: God is fully revealed in the Son (the Word made flesh).
This reinforces a pastoral point: God does not save us with an idea, but with a living Word that is Christ.
6) Application for believers (formative style)
If the Word of God is “dābār” (effective):
– I don’t listen to it just out of curiosity
– I get “just close enough to listen”
– I receive it with faith and obey it
– I let myself be corrected and consoled
Questions THE BELIEVERS :
1. What “word” of God am I putting off putting into practice?
2. In what area do I need the Word to “accomplish” its work (Is 55:11)?
3. Am I treating Scripture as information or as “dābār” calling me?
Dearly beloved ,
Today we began to dig down to the roots of the Word, discovering that for God the Word is not just sound, but life, action, transforming truth.
The Bible was not given to us to be simply read, but listened to with reverence, received with faith and lived with obedience. When God speaks, something happens. When His Word enters the heart, nothing remains as before.
I invite you not to miss it.
Open your heart, take your Bible and walk with us to the roots of the Word, for only those who go down deep can bear fruit in abundance.
May the Lord bless you and be with you,
And may His Word dwell richly in you.
See you soon in the next installment.
Francesco Pastone
