גּוּב
𐤂𐤅𐤁
gûwb
H1461 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To dig, especially as the act of digging a pit, cistern, or grave. The verb denotes the physical activity of excavating earth by hand or with simple tools. In its limited attestation, it describes the literal action of making a cavity in the ground, often for utilitarian or ritual purposes. The noun or participial forms derived from this root can refer to one who engages in digging, such as a digger or excavator, though this is rare and context-dependent.
Semantic Range
to dig (in earth), to excavate a pit, to dig a cistern, to make a grave, to act as an excavator (rare); by extension, to prepare the ground for agricultural or ritual purposes
Root / Etymology
From the root גּוּב, deriving from the core sense of removing earth or making a pit. The verb is primitive and likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound or motion of digging. Root meaning 'to dig'; lexical development includes concrete references to the act of digging in the ground.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This verb is rare in the Hebrew Bible, with occurrences primarily in post-monarchic texts. It is distinct from more common roots such as חפר (ḥāpar, 'to dig') and כרּה (karah, 'to dig'), which have broader applications and greater frequency. The verb's nominal derivative (e.g., גֵּב, 'pit,' 'cistern') is generally used to refer to artificial excavations designed for collecting water or for use as traps. 'Husbandman' as in Strong's gloss is a later or interpretive extension, not the primary meaning in biblical contexts. In the biblical period, significant social or legal implications could be attached to the act of digging a pit (for example, regarding liability for animals falling in), but the base verb is neutral, focusing on the act rather than the purpose. The action encompasses both practical needs (e.g., water collection, burial) and occasional metaphorical or legal senses (e.g., preparing a pitfall).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to dig; husbandman.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גוב (g-w-b) — to dig, to excavate, to hollow out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1356 | גֵּב | dug-out pits |
| H1357 | גֵּב | cutting locusts |
| H1359 | גֹּב | in Gob |
| H1462 | גּוֹב | burrowing locust |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1461-01 |
וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים | uleyogevim | HC/R/Vqrmpa |
and plowmen | diggers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1461-01 |
2 Kings 25:12 | וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים | uleyogevim | HC/R/Vqrmpa |
and plowmen | diggers |