📖 Biblical Definition
Gevurah (גְּבוּרָה) is the Hebrew word for might — the prevailing-power side of God’s character. It is distinguished from oz (protective strength) and chayil (force / valor): gevurah is the raw might that breaks armies and rolls back seas. "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power [gevurah], and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty" (1 Chronicles 29:11). The plural gevurot ("mighty deeds") names YHWH’s saving acts in history — the plagues, the Red Sea, the conquest, the return from exile. The Spirit of the LORD that rested on Messiah included "the spirit of counsel and might (gevurah)" (Isaiah 11:2). Where weakness reigns, gevurah is the LORD’s answer.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Hebrew "might" — raw prevailing power; mighty deeds.
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The Hebrew word for raw might, prevailing power, mighty deeds. Distinguished from oz (protective strength) and chayil (valor): gevurah emphasizes overwhelming, breaking-through power. The plural gevurot denotes YHWH's mighty acts — creation, exodus, conquest, resurrection. The Spirit of gevurah rests on the Messiah (Isa 11:2).
📖 Key Scripture
Psalm 145:11-12 — "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts (gevurot)."
Isaiah 11:2 — "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might (gevurah)."
Job 12:13 — "With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Conflated with abstract power; the specific raw-prevailing force of gevurah and its connection to YHWH's mighty saving deeds gets thinned.
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Modern usage of "might" is generic. Hebrew gevurah is specific: the raw prevailing power that breaks Pharaoh's armies, parts the Red Sea, brings dry bones to life. The Spirit of gevurah rests on the Messiah; the same Spirit raises the saints.
Recover the saving-deed framework: gevurah is the verb of YHWH's interventions. We tell stories of His gevurot. The exodus, the resurrection, the new birth — all gevurah.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew gevurah, gabar.
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['Hebrew', 'H1369', 'gevurah', 'might, mighty deed']
['Hebrew', 'H1396', 'gabar', 'to prevail, be strong']
Usage
"Gevurah is raw prevailing power."
"Tell the gevurot — YHWH's mighty deeds."
"Spirit of gevurah on the Messiah."