Mighty, powerful, stout; used of strong horses, arrogant men, and divine might
ʾAbbîr (related to H46 ʾāḇîr) intensifies the concept of strength. It describes: powerful horses (Jeremiah 8:16 — 'the snorting of their horses is heard from Dan'), mighty bulls (Psalm 22:12 — 'strong bulls of Bashan surround me'), the fat and self-satisfied (Isaiah 46:12 — 'stubborn-hearted'), and angels (Psalm 78:25 — 'bread of the mighty ones / angels'). The word captures both physical power and the arrogant self-reliance that often accompanies it.
Psalm 22 uses ʾabbîr in the context of persecution: 'Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me' (v.12). This messianic psalm, quoted by Jesus from the cross ('My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'), shows that earthly power arrayed against God's Anointed will ultimately fail. Psalm 78:25 uses ʾabbîr for the manna — 'bread of the mighty' (angelic bread). The contrast is profound: human ʾabbîr (arrogant strength) opposes God's servant, while divine ʾabbîr (heavenly provision) sustains God's people in the wilderness.