מַבּוּעַ
𐤌𐤁𐤅𐤏
mabbûwaʻ
H4002 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A natural spring or source of water issuing from the ground, typically emphasizing the point of emergence and a continuous flow. In poetic or metaphorical contexts, also used for sources or outpourings, such as tears or life ('fountain of life'). The term generally conveys a perennial, flowing spring rather than a cistern or man-made source.
Semantic Range
natural spring, fountain, place of gushing water, source (especially of water), figurative source of activity or emotion
Root / Etymology
מַבּוּעַ is derived from the root נבע, which means 'to bubble up, gush forth, or spring up.' The nominal form with the prefix מ- (mem) forms a noun of place or instrument, signifying 'a place of bubbling up/fountain.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַבּוּעַ is a relatively rare word, appearing only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (Proverbs 8:24; Psalm 114:8; Isaiah 35:7). It is typically used in poetic or elevated language to evoke imagery of natural, life-giving springs. Unlike בְּאֵר (be’er, 'well') which often refers to man-made or dug wells, מַבּוּעַ denotes a naturally occurring spring. In later texts and translations, it sometimes becomes generalized as 'fountain.' The term was not conceptually limited to ritual purity sources as מַעְיָן (ma‘yan) sometimes was. In ancient Israelite geography and settlement patterns, natural springs (מַבּוּעַ) were essential for habitation, agriculture, and religious significance. The English 'fountain' can sometimes convey an artificial sense, whereas the Hebrew term specifically refers to natural, gushing water sources. In post-biblical and modern Hebrew, the word retains its connection to natural springs but is also used figuratively for any wellspring or source.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָבַע; a fountain; fountain, spring.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נבע (n-b-ʿ) — to bubble up, to gush forth, to flow out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5042 | נָבַע | let me cause to gush forth |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4002-01 |
הַ/מַּבּ֔וּעַ | hamabua | HTd/Ncmsa |
the spring | the bubbling spring | 1 |
H4002-03 |
מַבּ֥וּעֵי | mabuey | HNcmpc |
springs-of | gushing springs of | 1 |
H4002-02 |
לְ/מַבּ֣וּעֵי | lemabuey | HR/Ncmpc |
into springs of | to bubbling springs of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4002-02 |
Isaiah 35:7 | לְ/מַבּ֣וּעֵי | lemabuey | HR/Ncmpc |
into springs of | to bubbling springs of |
H4002-03 |
Isaiah 49:10 | מַבּ֥וּעֵי | mabuey | HNcmpc |
springs-of | gushing springs of |
H4002-01 |
Ecclesiastes 12:6 | הַ/מַּבּ֔וּעַ | hamabua | HTd/Ncmsa |
the spring | the bubbling spring |