BAR. An Aramaic word for the Hebrew bēn,“son.” In the NT it is used as a prefix to the names of persons, e.g., Bar-Jonah, “son of Jonah” (Matt.16.17); Barabbas; Bar-Jesus; Barnabas; Barsabbas; Bartholomew; Bartimaeus.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
Aramaic for the Hebrew ben, "son." Compare Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel. In the Old Testament the word is found three times in Pr 31:2 and once in Syriac Ps 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.
See Ben.
(substantive):
(2) moT = "a staff," "stick," "pole" (Nu 4:10,12 margin); "strong fortification and great impediment" (Isa 45:2; Am 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; compare Isa 38:10; some read, "Will the bars of Sheol fall?").
(4) meTil = "something hammered out, a (forged) bar" (Job 40:18).
See Door; Gate; House.
Frank E. Hirsch
