Original Word: נָבַב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nabab
Pronunciation: naw-bab'
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bab')
Definition: to pierce, to be hollow, foolish
Meaning: • To pierce
• To be hollow
• Foolish

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 3474: μωρός (moros) • foolish
• Strong's Greek Number 2756: κενός (kenos) • empty, vain

These Greek terms share a conceptual relationship with נָבַב, as they also convey ideas of foolishness and emptiness, further illustrating the thematic continuity between the Hebrew and Greek biblical texts.

Usage: The verb נָבַב (navav) is used in the Hebrew Bible to convey the idea of piercing or making something hollow. It can also metaphorically refer to foolishness, indicating a lack of substance or wisdom.

Context: The Hebrew root נָבַב (navav) appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, often carrying the literal sense of piercing or creating a hollow space. This can be seen in contexts where physical objects are described as being pierced or hollowed out. The metaphorical extension of this term to denote foolishness suggests a conceptual link between emptiness and a lack of wisdom or understanding. In the ancient Near Eastern mindset, wisdom was often associated with fullness and substance, while foolishness was likened to emptiness or hollowness.

The usage of נָבַב in the Hebrew Bible is relatively rare, but its occurrences provide insight into the cultural and linguistic nuances of the ancient Hebrew language. The term's dual connotation of physical and metaphorical emptiness reflects a broader biblical theme where physical states often symbolize spiritual or moral conditions.

In the Berean Standard Bible, the translation of נָבַב may vary depending on the context, capturing either the literal or metaphorical sense of the word. For example, in passages where the term is used to describe foolishness, the translation emphasizes the lack of wisdom or understanding inherent in the action or character being described.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to hollow out
NASB Translation
hollow (3), idiot* (1).

[נָבַב] verb hollow out (compare Assyrian imbubu, flute, Dl^{HWB 443}, Late Hebrew אַבּוּב id., Aramaic אַבּוּבָא id.; hence also Arabic knots in reed, part of reed between knots, reed; see Hoffm^{LCB 1882, 321} Frä²³ Fl in Levy^{TW i. 417}); —

Qal Passive participle נָבוּב Job 11:12; Jeremiah 52:21; נְבוּב Exodus 27:8; Exodus 38:7; — hollowed, hollow: of altar of tabernacle נְבוּב לֻחוֺת Exodus 27:8; Exodus 38:7 (P); of pillar in temple Jeremiah 52:21; figurative אִישׁ נָבוּב Job 11:12, i.e. empty, hollow-minded man.

נֹ֫בֶה see נֹב.

hollow, vain

A primitive root; to pierce; to be hollow, or (figuratively) foolish -- hollow, vain.

נְב֥וּב נָ֭בוּב נָבֽוּב׃ נבוב נבוב׃ nā·ḇūḇ nāḇūḇ Navuv nə·ḇūḇ nəḇūḇ neVuvInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts