word
da.var denotes spoken communication or instruction, and can also denote an affair, report, or written account in the Bible.
The supplied verses most often use the term for communicated speech, especially divine or royal instruction and the words spoken in reply. It also denotes a matter under discussion or judgment, and plural construct forms can identify accounts of a ruler's deeds preserved in written records.
Senses in use
-
spoken message, instruction, or command · dominant
Construct singular forms identify a message associated with its speaker or source: in 1 Chronicles 17:3 the APB renders that “the word of God came to Nathan,” and in 1 Kings 12:22 it similarly introduces a message to Shemaiah. The term also concerns speech to be obeyed: in 1 Chronicles 21:4 the APB renders that “The king's word prevailed over Joab,” while 1 Kings 13:17 gives the instruction received as “the word of the LORD.”
-
matter, affair, or course of action · common
Singular forms can point to an event or issue rather than an utterance. In 1 Chronicles 13:4 the APB renders the assembly's proposal as “the matter,” and in 1 Chronicles 21:7 God judges “this matter” evil; 1 Kings 11:27 likewise identifies the affair by which Jeroboam raised his hand against Solomon.
-
words exchanged, reported, or recounted · common
Plural forms describe communicated content in conversation and report. In 1 Kings 10:3 the APB renders Solomon's response to all the queen's “words,” and 1 Kings 12:7 presents counsel as “good words” to speak to the people. In 1 Chronicles 17:15, plural absolute forms encompass what Nathan spoke to David according to the vision.
-
written account of deeds or events · occasional
Plural construct forms occur in notices that direct attention to written sources. In 1 Kings 14:19 the APB places Jeroboam's remaining acts in “the book of the chronicles,” and 1 Chronicles 29:29 names records containing David's acts. The clause in 1 Kings 11:41 likewise joins Solomon's remaining words, deeds, and wisdom with a book.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously renders the surrounding clauses with “word,” “words,” “matter,” “command,” and references to written records. Because its English is a whole-verse translation, these renderings identify the clause's presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.