The Meaning of “Davar”

Davar is Hebrew for “word” and is used to refer both to the Scriptures and the Incarnate Word, Jesus. “The Word” is one of the most important concepts in Scripture. The Gospel of John begins with, "In [the] beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in [the] beginning with God. All things were made by him . . ." This passage echoes Genesis 1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…and God said, ‘let there be light’, and there was light…” which describes God speaking the universe into being. 

Davar means both the “word” itself and its accompanying creative act. In Isaiah 55:11 the 'davar' goes out of God's mouth to accomplish a task. This passage states that the 'davar' never returns void, it always achieves its purpose. The Davar is both the “word” and the accompanying power to fulfill.  The New Testament describes the Word as alive and active, creative and powerful. Hebrews 4:12 says, “…the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”.  It has the power of life (Dt. 8:3 and Mt 4:4) and gives life to those that hear it. (Dt 32:46-47 and John 6:63,68). Phil. 2:16 instructs the followers of Jesus to “…hold out the word of life…”

 Davar occurs over 1400 times in Scripture and is translated by 85 different English words in the KJV. Its root verb occurs over 1100 times and required 45 different English words. It can mean word, book, power, purpose, utterance, prophetic message, cause, matter or thing. It can be written, spoken, or seen.  

 *Portions of the information in this article come from “What’s in a word?”