Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Bar" is a prefix of Aramaic origin, meaning "son of." It is commonly used in the Bible to denote lineage or descent, similar to the Hebrew "Ben." This prefix is often found in the New Testament, particularly in the context of names, reflecting the Aramaic influence on the language and culture of the time.
Biblical Usage:1.
Barabbas: One of the most notable figures with this prefix is Barabbas, a prisoner mentioned in the Gospels. During the Passover feast, it was customary for the Roman governor to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. The people chose Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, over Jesus Christ. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, including
Matthew 27:16-26,
Mark 15:7-15,
Luke 23:18-25, and
John 18:40. The choice of Barabbas over Jesus is often seen as a profound moment of injustice and a reflection of the rejection of the Messiah.
2.
Bartimaeus: Another significant figure is Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who received his sight from Jesus. His account is found in
Mark 10:46-52. The name Bartimaeus means "son of Timaeus," and his encounter with Jesus highlights themes of faith and divine mercy. Bartimaeus's persistent cries for Jesus' attention, despite being rebuked by the crowd, demonstrate his faith and determination, which Jesus acknowledges by healing him.
3.
Bartholomew: One of the twelve apostles, Bartholomew is often identified with Nathanael, mentioned in the Gospel of John. The name Bartholomew means "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows," indicating his lineage. He is listed among the apostles in
Matthew 10:3,
Mark 3:18,
Luke 6:14, and
Acts 1:13. Bartholomew's association with Nathanael is based on the synoptic Gospels' lists of apostles and the account in
John 1:45-51, where Nathanael is called by Jesus.
4.
Barnabas: Although not using the prefix "Bar," Barnabas is worth mentioning due to his significant role in the early Church. His name means "son of encouragement" or "son of consolation," reflecting his character and ministry. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus and a close associate of the Apostle Paul. He is introduced in
Acts 4:36-37 and is known for his missionary journeys and role in the spread of the Gospel.
Cultural and Linguistic Context:The use of "Bar" as a prefix in names reflects the Aramaic-speaking environment of first-century Judea and Galilee. Aramaic was the common language of the Jewish people during this period, and its influence is evident in the New Testament. The prefix "Bar" serves as a reminder of the cultural and linguistic setting in which the events of the New Testament unfolded.
Theological Significance:The individuals bearing the "Bar" prefix often play crucial roles in the narrative of the New Testament, illustrating themes of redemption, faith, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The choice of Barabbas over Jesus underscores the gravity of human sin and the sacrificial nature of Christ's mission. Bartimaeus's healing exemplifies the transformative power of faith in Jesus. Bartholomew's apostleship highlights the diverse backgrounds of those called to follow Christ. Barnabas's ministry demonstrates the importance of encouragement and support within the Christian community.
In summary, the prefix "Bar" in biblical names serves as a linguistic marker of heritage and identity, while the individuals associated with it contribute to the rich tapestry of biblical history and theology.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Used to denote the means by which a door is bolted (
Nehemiah 3:3); a rock in the sea (
Jonah 2:6); the shore of the sea (
Job 38:10); strong fortifications and powerful impediments, etc. (
Isaiah 45:2;
Amos 1:5); defences of a city (
1 Kings 4:13). A bar for a door was of iron (
Isaiah 45:2), brass (
Psalm 107:16), or wood (
Nahum 3:13).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door.
2. (n.) An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap.
3. (n.) Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.
4. (n.) A bank of sand, gravel, or other matter, esp. at the mouth of a river or harbor, obstructing navigation.
5. (n.) Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of assembly, in order to reserve a space for those having special privileges; as, the bar of the House of Commons.
6. (n.) The railing that encloses the place which counsel occupy in courts of justice. Hence, the phrase at the bar of the court signifies in open court.
7. (n.) The place in court where prisoners are stationed for arraignment, trial, or sentence.
8. (n.) The whole body of lawyers licensed in a court or district; the legal profession.
9. (n.) A special plea constituting a sufficient answer to plaintiff's action.
10. (n.) Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of God.
11. (n.) A barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are passed to customers; hence, the portion of the room behind the counter where liquors for sale are kept.
12. (n.) An ordinary, like a fess but narrower, occupying only one fifth part of the field.
13. (n.) A broad shaft, or band, or stripe; as, a bar of light; a bar of color.
14. (n.) A vertical line across the staff. Bars divide the staff into spaces which represent measures, and are themselves called measures.
15. (n.) The space between the tusks and grinders in the upper jaw of a horse, in which the bit is placed.
16. (n.) The part of the crust of a horse's hoof which is bent inwards towards the frog at the heel on each side, and extends into the center of the sole.
17. (n.) A drilling or tamping rod.
18. (n.) A vein or dike crossing a lode.
19. (n.) A gatehouse of a castle or fortified town.
20. (n.) A slender strip of wood which divides and supports the glass of a window; a sash bar.
21. (n.) To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate.
22. (n.) To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery; -- sometimes with up.
23. (n.) To except; to exclude by exception.
24. (n.) To cross with one or more stripes or lines.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BAR (1)bar (prefix): Aramaic for the Hebrew ben, "son." Compare Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel. In the Old Testament the word is found three times inProverbs 31:2 and once in SyriacPsalm 2:12 (Hier. translates "pure"). In the New Testament "Bar" is frequently employed as prefix to names of persons. Compare Barabbas; Bar-Jesus; Bar-Jonah; Barnabas; Barsabbas; Bartholomew; Bartimeus.
SeeBEN.
BAR (2)
bar (substantive):
(1) beriach = "a bolt" (Exodus 26:26-29;Exodus 35:11;Exodus 36:31-34; 39:33:00; 40:18Numbers 3:36;Numbers 4:31Deuteronomy 3:5;Judges 16:31 Samuel 23:71 Kings 4:132 Chronicles 8:5;2 Chronicles 14:7Nehemiah 3:3, 6, 13-15Job 38:10 "bars and doors" for the sea (the bank or shore of the sea);Psalm 107:16;Psalm 147:13 "the bars of thy gates": the walls of the city were now rebuilt and its gates only closed and barred by night (seeNehemiah 7:3);Proverbs 18:19, "bars of a castle";Isaiah 45:2Jeremiah 49:31;Jeremiah 51:30Lamentations 2:9Ezekiel 38:11): meaning "a rock in the sea" (Jonah 2:6).
(2) moT = "a staff," "stick," "pole" (Numbers 4:10, 12 margin); "strong fortification and great impediment" (Isaiah 45:2Amos 1:5, "the bolt of Damascus": no need here to render prince, as some do (G. A. Smith in the place cited.)).
(3) badh = "staff," "part of body," "strength" (Job 17:16, "bars of Sheol": the gates of the world of the dead; compareIsaiah 38:10; some read, "Will the bars of Sheol fall?").
(4) meTil = "something hammered out, a (forged) bar" (Job 40:18).
SeeDOOR;GATE; HOUSE.
Frank E. Hirsch
Greek
919. Bariesous -- "son of Joshua,"Bar-Jesus, a false prophet... 918, 919. Bariesous. 920 . "son of Joshua,"
Bar-Jesus, a false prophet. Part
of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Bariesous Phonetic Spelling: (
bar-
...920. Barionas -- "son of Jonah,"Bar-Jonah, a surname of Peter
... 919, 920. Barionas. 921 . "son of Jonah,"Bar-Jonah, a surname of Peter. Part
of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Barionas Phonetic Spelling...
923. Barsabbas -- "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two...
... "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two Israelites Christian. Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Barsabbas Phonetic Spelling: (bar-sab-as...
918. Bartholomaios -- "son of Tolmai," Bartholomew, one of the...
... "son of Tolmai," Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. Part of Speech: Noun,
Masculine Transliteration: Bartholomaios Phonetic Spelling: (bar-thol-om-ah'-yos...
924. Bartimaios -- "son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar
... "son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Bartimaios Phonetic Spelling: (bar-tim-ah'-yos) Short... see HEBREWbar....
912. Barabbas -- "son of Abba," Barabbas, the Isr. robber released...
... robber released instead of Christ. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Barabbas Phonetic Spelling: (bar-ab-bas') Short Definition: Barabbas...
915. barbaros -- barbarous, barbarian
... barbarous, barbarian. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: barbaros Phonetic
Spelling: (bar'-bar-os) Short Definition: a foreigner who speaks neither...
921. Barnabas -- Barnabas, an Israelite companion of Paul
... Barnabas, an Israelite companion of Paul. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Barnabas Phonetic Spelling: (bar-nab'-as) Short Definition: Barnabas...
83. adelotes -- uncertainty
... 83 ("unrecognized"), used only in 1 Tim 6:17. Here it shows riches will be in heaven --
ie lacking any real value at the judgment-bar of God. See 82 ()....
916. bareo -- to weigh down
... to weigh down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: bareo Phonetic Spelling:
(bar-eh'-o) Short Definition: I weight, load, burden Definition: I weight, load...
Strong's Hebrew
1250.bar -- grain, corn... 1249, 1250.
bar. 1251 . grain, corn. Transliteration:
bar Phonetic Spelling:
(bawr) Short Definition: grain. Word Origin from barar
...1251.bar -- (an open) field
... 1250, 1251.bar. 1252 . (an open) field. Transliteration:bar Phonetic
Spelling: (bar) Short Definition: field. Word Origin (Aramaic...
1248.bar -- son
... 1247, 1248.bar. 1249 . son. Transliteration:bar Phonetic Spelling: (bar)
Short Definition: son. Word Origin frombar Definition son NASB Word Usage son (...
1249.bar -- pure, clean
... 1248, 1249.bar. 1250 . pure, clean. Transliteration:bar Phonetic Spelling:
(bar) Short Definition: pure.... 1248, 1249.bar. 1250 . Strong's Numbers.
1247.bar -- son
... 1246, 1247.bar. 1248 . son. Transliteration:bar Phonetic Spelling: (bar)
Short Definition: son.... see HEBREW ben. 1246, 1247.bar. 1248 . Strong's Numbers
1280. beriach -- abar
... beriach. 1281 . abar. Transliteration: beriach Phonetic Spelling: (ber-ee'-akh)
Short Definition: bars....bar, fugitive. From barach; a bolt --bar, fugitive....
4132. mot -- a shaking, pole,bar (of a yoke)
... 4131, 4132. mot. 4133 . a shaking, pole,bar (of a yoke). Transliteration:
mot Phonetic Spelling: (mote) Short Definition: bars....bar, be moved, staff, yoke....
5274. na'al -- tobar, bolt, lock
... 5273b, 5274. na'al. 5274a . tobar, bolt, lock. Transliteration: na'al Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-al') Short Definition: bolt. bolt, enclose, lock, shoe, shut...
5274a. naal -- tobar, bolt, lock
... naal. 5274b . tobar, bolt, lock. Transliteration: naal Short Definition: locked....
root Definition tobar, bolt, lock NASB Word Usage lock (1), locked (5)....
7518. rats -- perhaps piece,bar
... 7517, 7518. rats. 7519 . perhaps piece,bar. Transliteration: rats Phonetic
Spelling: (rats) Short Definition: pieces. Word Origin...
Library
Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, noBar to Communion...
... DIFFERENCES IN JUDGMENT ABOUT WATER BAPTISM, NOBAR TO COMMUNION: OR, TO
COMMUNICATE WITH SAINTS, AS SAINTS, PROVED LAWFUL. IN ANSWER...
And Why Should we Add Many Words Concerning those who are Sisted...
... Piece XXXIX. And why should we add many words concerning those who are
sisted before thebar?? And why should we add many words...
The King of Heaven at theBar of Pilate.
... THE NEW TESTAMENT. CHAPTER XLII. THE KING OF HEAVEN AT THEBAR OF PILATE.
Pilate, the Roman Governor, who had come up from Caesarea...
The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian.
... He took the nameBar-Cochba, "Son of a star," and was enthusiastically supported
by Rabbi Akiba and other leading men among the Jews, who believed him to be...
I am Told that He Also Carps at Me for the Translation I have...
... In the Latin it stands: "Learn discipline," in the Hebrew it is written NescuBar;
and I have given it in my commentary, Adore the Son; and then, when I...
Caesarea. Strato's Tower.
... R. JosiBar Chaninah saith, What is that that is written, 'And Ekron shall be as
a Jebusite?' (Zechariah 9:7). These are the theatres and judgment-seats which...
A Description of the Standard of the Cross, which the Romans Now...
... Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed
the figure of the cross by means of a transversebar laid over it....
Christ Our Advocate
... He is employed to plead the cause of sinners, not at thebar of justice; not to
defend them against the charge of sin, because the question of their guilt is...
The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
... 1. MY last discourse left the sinner in very alarming and very pitiable circumstances;
a criminal convicted at thebar of God, disarmed of all pretences to...
The Three Fishers
... stood watching them out of the town; For men must work, and women must weep, And
there's little to earn, and many to keep, Though the harbourbar be moaning....
Thesaurus
Bar (27 Occurrences)... (Isaiah 45:2; Amos 1:5); defences of a city (1 Kings 4:13). A
bar for a door was
of iron (Isaiah 45:2), brass (Psalm 107:16), or wood (Nahum 3:13).
...Bar-jona (1 Occurrence)
Bar-jona. Barjona,Bar-jona. Barjonah . Easton's Bible Dictionary... (see
PETER.). Multi-Version ConcordanceBar-jona (1 Occurrence)....
Bar-nabas (1 Occurrence)
Bar-nabas. Barnabas,Bar-nabas. Barnabas-judas . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBar-nabas (1 Occurrence). Acts 4:36 In this...
Bar-jonah (1 Occurrence)
Bar-jonah. Barjonah,Bar-jonah. Bark . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BAR-JONAH.bar-jo'-na (Bar-ionas): Simon Peter's patronymic (Matthew 16:17)....
Bar-jesus (1 Occurrence)
Bar-jesus. Barjesus,Bar-jesus. Barjona . Easton's Bible Dictionary Son of
Joshua... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.BAR-JESUS.bar-je'-zus...
Bar-sabbas (2 Occurrences)
Bar-sabbas. Barsabbas,Bar-sabbas. Barsab'bas . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBar-sabbas (2 Occurrences). Acts 1:23 So two...
Bar'achel (2 Occurrences)
Bar'achel. Barachel,Bar'achel. Barachiah . Multi-Version Concordance
Bar'achel (2 Occurrences). Job 32:2 Then was kindled...
Beth-bar'ah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-bar'ah. Beth-barah, Beth-bar'ah. Bethbasi . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-bar'ah (1 Occurrence). Judges 7:24 And...
Ka'desh-bar'nea (9 Occurrences)
Ka'desh-bar'nea. Kadesh-barnea, Ka'desh-bar'nea. Kadmiel .
Multi-Version Concordance Ka'desh-bar'nea (9 Occurrences)....
Barsabbas (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARSABAS; BARSABBAS.bar'-sa-bas,
bar-sab'-as. See JOSEPH BARSABBAS; JUDAS BARSABBAS. JOSEPH BARSABBAS....
Resources
What is a bar mitzvah? What is a bat mitzvah? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Bar-Jesus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Zohar? | GotQuestions.orgBar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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