Strong's Lexicon rabah: To increase, to multiply, to become many, to grow Original Word: רָבָה Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G4129 (πληθύνω, plethyno): To multiply, to increase - G4119 (πλείων, pleion): More, greater Usage: The Hebrew verb "rabah" primarily conveys the idea of increasing or multiplying. It is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to describe the growth or expansion of people, nations, livestock, and even abstract concepts like sin or peace. The term often implies a blessing or divine favor, especially when referring to the multiplication of descendants or prosperity. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of multiplication was closely tied to the idea of blessing and prosperity. Large families and abundant livestock were seen as signs of divine favor and were essential for survival and economic stability. The promise of multiplication, especially in terms of descendants, was a significant aspect of God's covenant with the patriarchs, reflecting the cultural importance of lineage and inheritance. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [רָבָה]225 verb be, or become, much, many, great (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian rabû, be great, grow; Arabic Aramaic רְבָא; , , all grow, increase); — Qal59, Perfect3feminine singular רָֽבְתָה 1 Samuel 14:30; 2masculine singular וְרָבִ֫יתָ consecutive Deuteronomy 30:16; 3plural רָבוּ Ezra 9:6 +, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִרְבֶּה Deuteronomy 8:13 +, jussive יִ֫רֶב Genesis 1:22 2Chronicles 24:27 Qr (< ורב Kt, see רֹב 1), וַיִּ֫רֶב Exodus 1:20 3feminine singular תִּרְבֶּה Deuteronomy 7:22; Daniel 12:4, וַתֵּ֫רֶב Genesis 43:34; 1 Kings 5:10; 3masculine plural יִרְבּוּ Deuteronomy 11:31 +, יִרְבּוּן Psalm 139:18, יִרְבְּיֻן Deuteronomy 8:13 etc.; Imperative masculine singular וּרְבֵה Genesis 35:11; Infinitive construct רְבוֺת Exodus 11:9 +; — Participle רֹבֶה see II. רבה; — 1 become many, numerous: a. of people, Exodus 1:10,12 (J), Exodus 1:20 (E), Deuteronomy 6:3; Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 30:16; Zechariah 10:8; 1 Chronicles 5:23 רָבוּ לְמָ֑עְלָה 1 Chronicles 23:17; especially + פרה be fruitful and multiply Jeremiah 3:16; Jeremiah 23:3 (figurative of flock), Genesis 47:27b (P), Exodus 1:7 (P), Psalm 107:38 also (of man and beast) Ezekiel 36:11; of children Job 27:14; צַדִּיקִים Proverbs 28:28, ׳בִּרְבוֺת צ Proverbs 29:2 (Toy רְדוֺת rule, "" מְשֹׁל ),רְשָׁעִים ׳בר Proverbs 29:16 (Toy id.). b. of animals Deuteronomy 7:22 (+ עַל person), Deuteronomy 8:13; 1 Chronicles 5:9; + פרה Genesis 1:22; Genesis 8:17 (both P; compare Ezekiel 36:11 above). c. of things Deuteronomy 8:13 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 31:5; Exodus 11:9 (P), Ecclesiastes 5:10; of sins Ezra 9:6 (+ לְמַ֫עְלָה), Proverbs 29:16; + מִן compare Psalm 16:4; Psalm 139:18; of days Genesis 38:12 (J), Deuteronomy 11:21; 1 Samuel 7:2; Proverbs 9:11, years of life Proverbs 4:10; of waters Genesis 7:17 (J), Genesis 7:18 (P). 2. a. be great: (I) of things Genesis 43:24 (J; + מִן compare), 1 Samuel 14:30; of way = be long Deuteronomy 19:6 and (מִן compare person) Deuteronomy 14:24 be too long for; of wisdom 1 Kings 5:10 (מִן compare). (2) of person, יִרְבֶּה אֱלֹהִים מֵאֱנוֺשׁ Job 33:12 i.e. is too great for (De and others); has loftier, nobler thoughts (Di Bu), but no "". b. grow great (Aramaism): (I) of person, = grow up Ezekiel 16:7 ( + גָּדַל), Job 39:4. (2) of glory Psalm 49:17, knowledge Daniel 12:4. — 2Chronicles 24:27 see above Pi:4., make large, increase; — Imperative masculine singularרַבֶּה צְבָאֲךָ Judges 9:29 enlarge thy host; Perfect2masculine singular רִבִּיתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶם Psalm 44:13 thou hast not made great with their price (set a high price; so Ew De Che and others); or increased (that is, thy wealth) by their price (Hup Bae); = bring up, rear (children) Lamentations 2:22 (+ טמּח), whelps Ezekiel 19:2 (in figurative). Hiph`il162 Perfect3masculine singular הִרְבָּה Hosea 8:11 +, suffix וְהִרְבְּךָֹ consecutive Deuteronomy 30:5; 2masculine singular הִרְבִּיתָ Isaiah 9:2 +, 1 singular הִרְבֵּיתִי Hosea 2:10 +, etc.; Imperfect יַרְבֶּה Hosea 12:2 +, וַ֫יֶּרֶב 2 Samuel 18:8; Lamentations 2:5 etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַרְבֵּה Ezekiel 24:10, הֶ֫רֶב Judges 20:38 + Psalm 51:4 Qr (הרבה Kt, Infinitive absolute), etc.; feminine singular הַרְבִּי Isaiah 23:16, masculine plural הַרְבּוּ Amos 4:4; Genesis 34:12; Infinitive absolute הַרְבֵּה Genesis 15:1 +, הַרְבָּה (BaNB 90, 91) Genesis 3:16; Genesis 16:10; Genesis 22:17; construct הַרְבּוֺת Deuteronomy 28:63 + (2 Samuel 14:11 Kt הרבית; Amos 4:9; Proverbs 25:27 see below); Participle מַרְבֶּה Exodus 16:17 +, construct מַרְבֵּה Leviticus 11:42, etc.; — 1 make much, or many: a. object person (or a people), multiply, increase Genesis 16:10; Genesis 17:20; Isaiah 9:2 +; Ezekiel 36:10 (+ עַל person), Ezekiel 36:11 (man and beast; + id.); Deuteronomy 30:5 (+ מִן compare person); + פרה Hiph`il Genesis 28:3; Genesis 48:4 (both P); הִרְבָּה כּוֺשֵׁל Jeremiah 46:16 = he made many stumble; = have many 1 Chronicles 7:4; 1 Chronicles 8:40; 1 Chronicles 23:11. b. object animals Deuteronomy 17:16 (twice in verse) (compare Ezekiel 36:11 above). c. object things Hosea 2:10; Hosea 8:11,14; Genesis 3:16 +; הַרְבּוּ עָלַי מְאֹד מֹהַר וּמַתָּן Genesis 34:12; opposed to הִמְעִיט Leviticus 26:16; Numbers 26:54; Numbers 33:54; object words Ecclesiastes 10:14 (see Job 34:37 below 2), compare Isaiah 1:15; Job 40:27, הַרְבִּי שִׂיר Isaiah 23:16; object days Job 29:18 (like sand); = use many (medicines) Jeremiah 46:11; have many (feet) Leviticus 11:42; bring abundantly2Chronicles 31:5; yield abundantly Nehemiah 9:37; with ל of object Hosea 10:1 (ל 3a); object omitted Habakkuk 2:6; Proverbs 22:16, also (opposed to מעט [usually Hiph`il]) Exodus 16:17,18; Exodus 30:15; Numbers 35:8 (all P), Proverbs 13:11. d. (1) followed by infinitive, make much to do, do much in respect of, = do much, abundantly; greatly, often, etc. (Dr181, 12): הַרְבּוּ לִפְשֹׁעַ Amos 4:4 = transgress greatly, so Ezra 10:13, compare 2 Kings 21:6 2Chronicles 33:6; further, Isaiah 55:7; Exodus 36:5; 2Chronicles 36:14; Psalm 78:38, also 2 Samuel 14:11 (Kt מהרבית, Qr מֵהַרְבַּת, read probably מֵהַרְבוֺת Drreff. Ges§ 75 ff. e the Infinitive absolute (Ol§ 191 b Köii. 1, 555 Ges§ 75 ff.) is used: (1) הַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה I will greatly increase Genesis 3:16; Genesis 16:10; Genesis 22:17 (all J; Ges§ 113n); (2) וְהַרְבֵּה carrying on infinitive construct Ezekiel 21:20; -3הַרְבֵּה as adverb (c. verbs and [Ecclesiastes 7:16] adjective ), greatly, exceedingly, etc., especially מְאֹד ׳ה Genesis 41:49 (E), 1 Samuel 26:21; 2 Samuel 12:30 #NAME? 2 Samuel 20:2, Joshua 13:1 (D), 2 Kings 21:16; Nehemiah 2:2; perhaps also 1 Kings 5:9. 1 Kings 10:10 (both with נָתַן), 1 Kings 10:11 (with הֵבִיא), Jeremiah 40:12 (with אָסַף), 2 Chron 14:12 (with נָשָׂא); הַרְבֵּה alone 2 Kings 10:8 (opposed to מְעָ֑ט), Nehemiah 3:33; Ecclesiastes 1:16; Ecclesiastes 5:19; Ecclesiastes 7:16,17; Psalm 51:4 Kt (Qr הֶרֶב Imperative); (4) as adjective attributive (KöSynt.:§ 318 e ), מְאֹד ׳ח Deuteronomy 3:5; Joshua 22:8 (D; "" רַבמְֿאֹד ), 2 Samuel 8:8 (רַבָּה מְאֹד in "" 1 Chronicles 18:18), 1 Chronicles 12:2; Isaiah 30:33; 2Chronicles 32:27; so הַרְבֵּה alone Nehemiah 4:4; Nehemiah 4:13 (+ רְחָבָה), Ezra 10:1 (preceding n., compare 1. רַב), Ecclesiastes 2:7; Ecclesiastes 5:6; Ecclesiastes 5:16 (reading כעס as n., Ew De Hi-Now and others), Ecclesiastes 6:11; Ecclesiastes 9:18; Ecclesiastes 11:8a Ecclesiastes 12:9,12 (twice in verse),הַרְבּוֺת alone Proverbs 25:27 (Toy reads הַרְבֵּה); חִרְבֵּה מְאֹד as predicate Genesis 15:1 (J; Samaritan אַרְבֶּה), Ecclesiastes 11:8b Psalm 130:7 (adverb Bae); (5) הַרְבֵּה as concrete noun (KöSynt.:§ 318 a) 2 Samuel 14 Jeremiah 42:2 (בֶּה- van d. H.), with מִן compare, 2 Chronicles 25:9; Jonah 4:11; as object (or adverb), opposed to מְעַט Haggai 1:6,9; Ecclesiastes 5:11; late in adverb phrase (לְהַרְבֵּה (מְאֹדׅ) Nehemiah 5:18; 2Chronicles 11:12; 16:8; הַרְבּוֺת as noun Amos 4:9 (read probably הֶחֱרַבְתַּי We Now). 2 make great, object person 2 Samuel 22:36 = Psalm 18:36; enlarge border 1 Chronicles 4:10; perhaps also Job 34:37 make words great, presumptuous, against God (לְאֵל; so BuhlLex; most make many words, 1c). II. [רָבָה] verb shoot (compare II. רָבַב, I. רָמָה); — only Qal Participle רֹבֶה קַשָּׁ֑ת Genesis 21:20 < רֹבֵה קָ֑שֶׁת, Kn Di and others, but read probably ׳דֹמֵה ק Ol Ball, one shooting the bow. רַבָּה, רִבּוֺ(אׅ, רַבִּית, רְבִיבִים, see רבב. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring in abundance, A primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect) -- (bring in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for rabab), be in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. see HEBREW rabab Forms and Transliterations אַרְבֶּ֖ה אַרְבֶּ֗ה אַרְבֶּ֤ה אַרְבֶּ֥ה אַרְבֶּה֙ ארבה בִּרְב֣וֹת בִּרְבוֹת֙ ברבות הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה הִרְבְּתָ֔ה הִרְבִּ֔יתָ הִרְבִּ֣יתָ הִרְבִּ֥ינוּ הִרְבֵּ֑יתִי הִרְבֵּ֥יתִי הִרְבֵּית֙ הִרְבֵּיתֶ֥ם הִרְבָּ֖ה הִרְבָּ֗ה הִרְבָּ֣ה הִרְבָּ֥ה הִרְבָּה֙ הִרְבּ֖וּ הִרְבּ֣וּ הִרְבּ֤וּ הִרְבּ֥וּ הִרְבֵּ֣ית הֶ֕רֶב הֶ֭רֶב הַמַּרְבֶּ֔ה הַמַּרְבֶּ֖ה הַמַּרְבֶּ֣ה הַרְבִּי־ הַרְבֵּ֑ה הַרְבֵּ֔ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה הַרְבֵּ֛ה הַרְבֵּ֜ה הַרְבֵּ֞ה הַרְבֵּ֣ה הַרְבֵּ֤ה הַרְבֵּ֥ה הַרְבֵּֽה־ הַרְבֵּֽה׃ הַרְבֵּה֙ הַרְבֵּה֩ הַרְבֵּה־ הַרְבָּ֤ה הַרְבָּ֥ה הַרְבּ֣וֹת הַרְבּ֣וּ הַרְבּ֨וֹת הַרְבּ֨וּ הירבה המרבה הרב הרבה הרבה־ הרבה׃ הרבו הרבות הרבי־ הרבינו הרבית הרביתי הרביתם הרבתה וְ֭הִרְבָּה וְאַרְבֵּֽהוּ׃ וְאַרְבֶּ֥ה וְהִרְבְּךָ֖ וְהִרְבִּ֤יתָ וְהִרְבִּיתִ֔ךָ וְהִרְבִּתִים֙ וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֖י וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֣י וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֤י וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֧י וְהִרְבֵּיתִי֙ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָ וְהִרְבָּ֖ה וְהַרְבֵּ֖ה וְהַרְבֵּה֙ וְהַרְבָּ֨ה וְיִרְבּ֥וּ וְיֶ֖רֶב וְיַרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְרִבִּ֖יתִי וְרָב֖וּ וְרָב֣וּ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וְרָבֽוּ׃ וְתִרְבֶּ֥ה וְתֶ֣רֶב וְתַרְבִּי־ וַיִּ֧רֶב וַיִּרְבּ֖וּ וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ וַיִּרְבּ֥וּ וַיִּרְבּוּ֙ וַיֶּ֙רֶב֙ וַיֶּ֤רֶב וַתִּרְבִּי֙ וַתִּרְבֶּ֨ינָה וַתֵּ֙רֶב֙ וַתֵּ֜רֶב וַתַּרְבִּ֖י וַתַּרְבִּ֤י וַתַּרְבִּ֥י וַתַּרְבִּ֧י וַתַּרְבֶּ֖ה וָאַרְבֶּה֙ וּלְהַרְבּ֣וֹת וּמַרְבִּ֤ים וּרְב֑וּ וּרְב֖וּ וּרְב֗וּ וּרְב֛וּ וּרְבִיתֶ֗ם וּרְבֵ֔ה וּרְבוּ־ וארבה וארבהו׃ והרבה והרבית והרביתי והרביתך והרבך והרבתים וירב וירבו וירבך ולהרבות ומרבים ורבה ורבו ורבו־ ורבו׃ ורבית ורביתי ורביתם ותרב ותרבה ותרבי ותרבי־ ותרבינה יִ֝רְבֶּה יִ֥רֶב יִרְבְּיֻ֔ן יִרְבֶּ֖ה יִרְבֶּ֗ה יִרְבֶּ֥ה יִרְבֶּ֨ה יִרְבֶּֽה׃ יִרְבֶּה־ יִרְבּ֑וּן יִרְבּ֣וּ יִרְבּ֤וּ יִרְבּ֥וּ יַרְבֶּ֑ה יַרְבֶּ֗ה יַרְבֶּ֣ה יַרְבֶּ֥ה יַרְבֶּֽה׃ יַרְבֶּה־ ירב ירבה ירבה־ ירבה׃ ירבו ירבון ירבין כְּרֻבָּ֖ם כרבם לְהַרְבֵּ֑ה לְהַרְבֵּ֣ה לְהַרְבּ֣וֹת לְהַרְבּ֥וֹת להרבה להרבות מֵֽהַרְבֵּ֔ה מֵהַרְבַּ֞ת מַרְבִּ֞ים מַרְבִּ֣ים מַרְבִּ֥ים מַרְבֵּ֣ה מַרְבֶּ֣ה מַרְבָּ֗ה מהרבה מהרבת מרבה מרבים רְב֥וֹת רִ֝בִּ֗יתָ רִבְּתָ֥ה רַבֶּ֥ה רַבּ֖וּ רַבּ֣וּ רַבּ֤וּ רָ֑בּוּ רָב֖וּ רָב֥וּ רָבְתָ֥ה רָבֽוּ׃ רָבוּ֙ רֹבֶ֥ה רבה רבו רבו׃ רבות רבית רבתה תִּרְבֶּ֥ה תִּרְבּ֖וּן תִרְבּוּ֩ תֶּ֤רֶב ׀ תַּרְבֵּֽנִי׃ תַּרְבֶּה֙ תַּרְבּ֔וּ תַּרְבּ֤וּ תַרְבֵּֽנִי׃ תַרְבֶּה־ תַרְבּ֥וּ תרב תרבה תרבה־ תרבו תרבון תרבני׃ ’ar·beh ’arbeh arBeh bir·ḇō·wṯ birḇōwṯ birVot hă·yar·beh ham·mar·beh hammarbeh har·bāh har·bêh har·bêh- har·bî- har·bō·wṯ har·bū harBah harbāh harBeh harbêh harbêh- harbi harbî- harBot harbōwṯ harBu harbū hayarBeh hăyarbeh he·reḇ hereḇ Herev hir·bāh hir·bə·ṯāh hir·bê·ṯem hir·bê·ṯî hir·bêṯ hir·bî·nū hir·bî·ṯā hir·bū hirBah hirbāh hirBeit hirbeiTem hirBeiti hirbêṯ hirbeTah hirbəṯāh hirbêṯem hirbêṯî hirBinu hirbînū hirBita hirbîṯā hirBu hirbū kə·rub·bām kerubBam kərubbām lə·har·bêh lə·har·bō·wṯ leharBeh ləharbêh leharBot ləharbōwṯ mar·bāh mar·beh mar·bêh mar·bîm marBah marbāh marbeh marbêh marBim marbîm mê·har·baṯ mê·har·bêh meharBat mêharbaṯ meharBeh mêharbêh rā·ḇə·ṯāh rā·ḇū rab·beh rab·bū rāb·bū rabbeh rabBu rabbū rābbū rāḇəṯāh rāḇū raveTah raVu rə·ḇō·wṯ rəḇōwṯ reVot rib·bə·ṯāh rib·bî·ṯā ribbeTah ribbəṯāh ribBita ribbîṯā rō·ḇeh rōḇeh roVeh tar·bê·nî ṯar·bê·nî tar·beh ṯar·beh- tar·bū ṯar·bū tarbeh ṯarbeh- tarBeni tarbênî ṯarbênî tarBu tarbū ṯarbū te·reḇ tereḇ Terev tir·beh ṯir·bū tir·būn tirbeh tirBu ṯirbū tirBun tirbūn ū·lə·har·bō·wṯ ū·mar·bîm ū·rə·ḇêh ū·rə·ḇî·ṯem ū·rə·ḇū ū·rə·ḇū- uleharBot ūləharbōwṯ umarBim ūmarbîm ūrəḇêh ūrəḇîṯem ūrəḇū ūrəḇū- ureVeh ureviTem ureVu vaarBeh vaiYerev vaiyirBu vaiYirev vattarBeh vattarBi vatTerev vattirBeinah vattirBi vearBeh vearBehu veharBah veharBeh vehirBah vehirBecha vehirbeiTi vehirBita vehirbiTicha vehirbiTim veraVita veraVu veribBiti vetarbi veTerev vetirBeh veyarBecha veYerev veyirBu wā’arbeh wā·’ar·beh wat·tar·beh wat·tar·bî wat·tê·reḇ wat·tir·be·nāh wat·tir·bî wattarbeh wattarbî wattêreḇ wattirbenāh wattirbî way·ye·reḇ way·yi·reḇ way·yir·bū wayyereḇ wayyirbū wayyireḇ wə’arbeh wə’arbêhū wə·’ar·bê·hū wə·’ar·beh wə·har·bāh wə·har·bêh wə·hir·bāh wə·hir·be·ḵā wə·hir·bə·ḵā wə·hir·bê·ṯî wə·hir·bî·ṯā wə·hir·bî·ṯi·ḵā wə·hir·bi·ṯîm wə·rā·ḇî·ṯā wə·rā·ḇū wə·rib·bî·ṯî wə·ṯar·bî- wə·ṯe·reḇ wə·ṯir·beh wə·yar·be·ḵā wə·ye·reḇ wə·yir·bū wəharbāh wəharbêh wəhirbāh wəhirbeḵā wəhirbəḵā wəhirbêṯî wəhirbîṯā wəhirbîṯiḵā wəhirbiṯîm wərāḇîṯā wərāḇū wəribbîṯî wəṯarbî- wəṯereḇ wəṯirbeh wəyarbeḵā wəyereḇ wəyirbū yar·beh yar·beh- yarbeh yarbeh- yi·reḇ yir·bə·yun yir·beh yir·beh- yir·bū yir·būn yirbeh yirbeh- yirbeYun yirbəyun yirBu yirbū yirBun yirbūn yireḇ YirevLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 1:22 HEB: לֵאמֹ֑ר פְּר֣וּ וּרְב֗וּ וּמִלְא֤וּ אֶת־ NAS: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill KJV: Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill INT: saying be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters Genesis 1:22 Genesis 1:28 Genesis 3:16 Genesis 3:16 Genesis 7:17 Genesis 7:18 Genesis 8:17 Genesis 9:1 Genesis 9:7 Genesis 9:7 Genesis 15:1 Genesis 16:10 Genesis 16:10 Genesis 17:2 Genesis 17:20 Genesis 21:20 Genesis 22:17 Genesis 22:17 Genesis 26:4 Genesis 26:24 Genesis 28:3 Genesis 34:12 Genesis 35:11 Genesis 38:12 230 Occurrences |