דָּבָר (Dābār)

MEANINGWord, and the thing the word brings about: a matter, a deed, an event. Strong's H1697: 'a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing'. When God speaks, the thing is done: 'he spake, and it was done' (Psalm 33:9).

GRAMMARH1697, from dābar (H1696), to speak. Masculine noun. Psalm 33:6 has it in construct with the preposition be, bidvar, 'By the word of the LORD', and the parallel line puts the same preposition on ruach (H7307): 'by the breath of his mouth'.

SIGNIFICANCEPsalm 33:6 gives creation's grammar in one line: 'By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.' The LORD speaks, the word goes out, the breath (ruach) carries it. The Spirit is moving before the first word is spoken, 'the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters' (Genesis 1:2), and the work is personal: 'The Spirit of God hath made me' (Job 33:4). From the Father, through the Word, by the Spirit: the shape is here before John names the Word (John 1:3). The same psalm turns from the heavens to 'the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance' (Psalm 33:12).

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESPsalm 33:6 (by the word of the LORD were the heavens made); Genesis 1:2 (the Spirit of God moved); Job 33:4 (the Spirit of God hath made me); Psalm 33:9, 12.

CROSS-REFERENCESλόγος logos (G3056) · רוּחַ ruach (H7307) · Psalm 33:6 · John 1:1-3

MEANINGThe word that comes and stands. God's word arrives at a point in history and does not lapse after it.

GRAMMARH1697 in construct in the prophetic formula: 'the word of the LORD came unto Abram' (Genesis 15:1).

SIGNIFICANCEThread 5 follows the word through the ages. The word that made the heavens is the word that 'came unto Abram' (Genesis 15:1), and it does not wear out: 'the word of our God shall stand for ever' (Isaiah 40:8). 'The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations' (Psalm 33:11). What God speaks at the start, He keeps to the end.

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESGenesis 15:1 (the word of the LORD came unto Abram); Psalm 33:11 (the counsel of the LORD standeth for ever); Isaiah 40:8 (the word of our God shall stand for ever).

CROSS-REFERENCESλόγος logos (G3056) · Genesis 15:1 · Psalm 33:11 · Isaiah 40:8