Lexical Summary gebereth: Mistress, Lady Original Word: גְּבֶרֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lady, mistress Feminine of gbiyr; mistress -- lady, mistress. see HEBREW gbiyr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gabar Definition lady, queen, mistress NASB Translation mistress (7), queen (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּבֶ֫רֶת noun feminine 1. lady, queen, Isaiah 47:5,7. 2 mistress of servants, suffix גְּבִרְתִּי Genesis 16:8; גְּבִרְתֵךְ Genesis 16:9; גְּבִרְתָּהּ Genesis 16:4; 2 Kings 5:3; Psalm 123:2; Proverbs 30:23; (plural גברת women MI16). Topical Lexicon Overview of Meaning and Range The term designates a woman in authority over others. In household settings it is the female counterpart to “master,” while in national or imperial contexts it denotes a reigning queen. Across its nine uses the word always implies legitimate power accompanied by moral responsibility. Patriarchal Households in Genesis Genesis 16:4, 8, and 9 present the first occurrences, describing Sarai as Hagar’s “mistress.” The narrative highlights a tension between God-ordained authority and human misuse of it. Hagar’s flight, the Angel of the LORD’s command, and the promise that follows show that God both upholds rightful structures and intervenes on behalf of the afflicted. The passage establishes a paradigm: authority is real, yet servants remain under divine care that transcends social rank. Servant-Mistress Dynamics and Theology of Authority Psalm 123:2 employs the term in a worship setting: “As a servant looks to the hand of his master, as a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God until He shows us mercy.” Here human relationships become analogies for dependence on God. Proper authority points upward, directing hearts to the ultimate Sovereign. Proverbs 30:23 warns of disorder when hierarchy is seized rather than granted: “a maidservant who displaces her mistress.” The proverb assumes the stability that flows from God’s ordained order and portrays chaos when that order is overturned. Narrative Illustration: Compassion in 2 Kings 5 The captive Israelite girl addresses Naaman’s wife, her “mistress,” urging care for her leprous master. Her initiative, despite her servile position, reveals how covenant faith can flourish under any authority and bless even foreign households. The episode encourages believers to serve faithfully wherever Providence places them, trusting God to work through humble witnesses. Wisdom and Poetic Echoes The paired lines in Psalm 123:2 and Proverbs 30:23 show Hebrew poetry’s use of parallelism to explore authority themes. Both verses underline attentiveness: one positive (eyes fixed for mercy), the other negative (eyes coveting power). These polarities invite self-examination about motives in leadership and submission. Prophetic Use: “Queen of Kingdoms” in Isaiah 47 Isaiah 47:5, 7 transfers the domestic title to imperial Babylon: “Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms.” “You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’” Babylon’s self-exaltation mirrors the arrogance of a mistress who forgets accountability. The prophecy demonstrates God’s prerogative to elevate and to humble rulers. By selecting a term usually reserved for household authority, Isaiah personalizes Babylon’s downfall, emphasizing that even global powers answer to the Lord of Hosts. Comprehensive Biblical Theme Across Law, History, Wisdom, and Prophets, the word consistently links authority with stewardship. Whether in a tent, a palace, or a world empire, the “mistress” or “queen” is portrayed as: 1. Legitimately empowered. Ministry Application • Leadership in the church and home should reflect God’s character—firm yet merciful. Eschatological Perspective The fading glory of the earthly “queen” contrasts with the unveiling of the Bride of the Lamb, whose authority derives wholly from union with Christ. Consequently, present roles—whether mistress or servant—find ultimate meaning in submission to the reigning King, Jesus Christ, who perfectly weds authority and service. Forms and Transliterations גְּבִ֫רְתָּ֥הּ גְּבִרְתִּ֔י גְּבִרְתֵּ֑ךְ גְּבִרְתָּ֔הּ גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּ גְּבִרְתָּֽהּ׃ גְּבֶ֖רֶת גְבָ֑רֶת גברת גברתה גברתה׃ גברתי גברתך כַּגְּבִרְתָּ֑הּ כגברתה ḡə·ḇā·reṯ gə·ḇe·reṯ gə·ḇir·tāh gə·ḇir·têḵ gə·ḇir·tî ḡəḇāreṯ gəḇereṯ gəḇirtāh gəḇirtêḵ gəḇirtî geVaret geVeret gevirTah gevirTech gevirTi kag·gə·ḇir·tāh kaggəḇirtāh kaggevirTahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 16:4 HEB: הָרָ֔תָה וַתֵּקַ֥ל גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּ בְּעֵינֶֽיהָ׃ NAS: that she had conceived, her mistress was despised KJV: that she had conceived, her mistress was despised INT: had conceived was despised her mistress her sight Genesis 16:8 Genesis 16:9 2 Kings 5:3 Psalm 123:2 Proverbs 30:23 Isaiah 24:2 Isaiah 47:5 Isaiah 47:7 9 Occurrences |
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