The Hebrew verb gabar means to be strong, to prevail, to be mighty, or to overwhelm. It describes the exercise of superior strength — whether of floodwaters overwhelming the earth, of enemies prevailing in battle, or of God's steadfast love triumphing over sin. The related noun gibbor (H1368) means 'mighty warrior.'
Gabar appears in some of the Bible's most triumphant and most devastating passages. The waters of the Flood 'prevailed' (Genesis 7:19–20). Enemies 'prevailed' against God's people when they sinned. But the most glorious use is in Psalm 117:2 and Lamentations 3:22: God's chesed (lovingkindness) prevails — it is stronger than all sin and judgment. This is the theological heart of the word.