← H7234 H7236 →

רָבָה

𐤓𐤁𐤄

râbâh

H7235 verb

SILEX Entry

Root רבה to be many, to increase, to grow, to multiply

Definition

To become many or great, to increase, to multiply in number or in magnitude. Used of people, animals, possessions, wisdom, or other qualities or entities, emphasizing growth in quantity or extent. In certain contexts, can refer to making something great or causing multiplication.

Semantic Range

to become many, to multiply, to increase in number, to enlarge, to become great, to cause to multiply, to make numerous, to be abundant, to excel, to be authoritative or powerful, to thrive, to prosper

Root / Etymology

Root רָבָה (ר-ב-ה) is a primitive Semitic root meaning 'to become many' or 'to increase.' The verb רָבָה derives directly from this root and expresses the sense of numerical or quantitative growth. Cognate roots appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רָבָה is widely used in narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic contexts across all strata of biblical Hebrew, often describing the growth or multiplication of humans, animals, possessions, or abstract qualities (e.g., peace, sin, wisdom). In the patriarchal and early monarchic periods, it regularly conveys the fulfillment of divine promises of progeny and blessing to the ancestors of the Israelites (e.g., Genesis 1:28; 17:2). During the exilic and post-exilic periods, its use also comes to reflect restoration and hope for increase. While English translations often render it as 'increase,' 'multiply,' or 'become great,' these may not fully capture its broad semantic range, which can also include 'enlarge,' 'be numerous,' or in the causative stem, 'cause to increase.' Not to be confused with רָבַב (to shoot, used for archers), which occurs infrequently. The sense of 'being in authority' or 'to excel' arises from the idea of attaining greatness by number or extent. The participle form does not indicate a strict numerical increase but often connotes abundance, prosperity, or greatness. Later usage in post-biblical Hebrew broadens and sometimes specializes meanings in administrative or exegetical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -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), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

רבה (r-b-h) — to be many, to increase, to grow, to multiply

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4766 מַרְבֶה for increase of
H4767 מִרְבָּה great increase
H4768 מַרְבִּית increase of
H697 אַרְבֶּה I will cause to multiply
H7236 רְבָה he made great

Word Forms

84 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7235-05 הַרְבֵּ֥ה harebeh HVha much cause to multiply 45
H7235-79 יַרְבֶּ֗ה yarebeh HVhi3ms shall he multiply he will multiply 10
H7235-65 וְ/הִרְבֵּיתִ֥י vehirebeyti HC/Vhq1cs and I will multiply and I caused to multiply 10
H7235-80 יִרְבֶּ֗ה yirebeh HVqi3ms multiplies he increases 9
H7235-11 הִרְבָּ֣ה hirebah HVhp3ms has multiplied he caused to multiply 9
H7235-01 אַרְבֶּה֙ arebeh HVhi1cs I will multiply I will cause to multiply 7
H7235-57 וַ/יִּרְבּ֣וּ vayirebu HC/Vqw3mp and they multiplied and they multiplied 7
H7235-82 יִרְבּ֤וּ yirebu HVqi3mp will be multiplied they will multiply 6
H7235-49 וּ/רְב֗וּ urevu HC/Vqv2mp and multiply and increase! 6
H7235-18 הִרְבּ֥וּ hirebu HVhp3cp gave abundantly they made numerous 6

Occurrences in Scripture

235 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7235-49 Genesis 1:22 וּ/רְב֗וּ urevu HC/Vqv2mp and multiply and increase!
H7235-84 Genesis 1:22 יִ֥רֶב yirev HVqj3ms multiply may he increase
H7235-49 Genesis 1:28 וּ/רְב֛וּ urevu HC/Vqv2mp and multiply and increase!
H7235-04 Genesis 3:16 הַרְבָּ֤ה harebah HVha greatly multiply / multiplying causing to multiply
H7235-01 Genesis 3:16 אַרְבֶּה֙ arebeh HVhi1cs I will multiply I will cause to multiply
H7235-57 Genesis 7:17 וַ/יִּרְבּ֣וּ vayirebu HC/Vqw3mp and increased and they multiplied
H7235-57 Genesis 7:18 וַ/יִּרְבּ֥וּ vayirebu HC/Vqw3mp increased and they multiplied
H7235-70 Genesis 8:17 וְ/רָב֖וּ veravu HC/Vqq3cp and multiply and they multiplied
H7235-49 Genesis 9:1 וּ/רְב֖וּ urevu HC/Vqv2mp and multiply and increase!
H7235-49 Genesis 9:7 וּ/רְב֑וּ urevu HC/Vqv2mp and multiply and increase!
← H7234 Hebrew Lexicon H7236 →