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רַבְרַב

𐤓𐤁𐤓𐤁

rabrab

H7260 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

An adjective denoting greatness, prominence, or high rank, particularly in reference to persons or things of superior importance or status. In imperial and administrative contexts, it frequently describes officials of high standing, as well as significant qualities (e.g., importance, power, size). The word conveys more than physical size; it primarily expresses greatness in social, political, or hierarchical terms.

Semantic Range

great, distinguished, prominent, chief, eminent, of high rank, magnificent, large, illustrious, important, (among) rulers or officials

Root / Etymology

Root is רבב, meaning 'to be great, many.' רַבְרַב is a reduplication of the root רַב (rav), an adjectival form meaning 'great' or 'chief.' The reduplication intensifies the meaning, indicating 'very great,' 'illustrious,' or 'eminent.' This construction reflects a common method in Aramaic for intensification through reduplication.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רַבְרַב appears exclusively in Biblical Aramaic portions, most predominantly in Daniel, to describe leading officials or to emphasize the preeminence of individuals or qualities. During the Achaemenid and subsequent Near Eastern imperial periods, the term often carried specific bureaucratic connotations, designating members of governing classes or high-ranking administrators ('notables', 'high officials'). This differs from Hebrew רַב (rav), which, while also meaning 'great' or 'chief,' does not exhibit the same intensified or administrative nuance in most biblical contexts. English translations often simplify רַבְרַב as 'great' or 'chief,' but these can obscure the word’s specific sense of official or distinguished status in Neo-Babylonian or Persian administration. The use is almost entirely absent from pre-exilic Israelite texts, appearing as a borrowing or development in post-exilic Aramaic used for official terminology.

Translation Consistency

primary "great" 8 occurrences

’Great’ is the most natural, concise rendering that covers the primary semantic range (greatness, prominence, high rank, importance) and matches the majority of existing P2 renderings. It reads naturally in English across contexts—social, political, or descriptive—while remaining consistent and versatile for all forms of H7260.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from רַב; huge (in size); domineering (in character); (very) great (things).

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

רבב (Merav) — to be many, to increase, to become numerous

Root רבב to be great, to be many, to be chief
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4764 מֵרָב Abundant one
H7227 רַב many
H7228 רַב his archers
H7229 רַב the great one
H7230 רֹב in abundance

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7260-01 רַבְרְבָ֤ן raverevan AAafpa great eminent ones very great ones 5
H7260-02 רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א raverevata AAafpd/Td great the illustrious ones great 2
H7260-03 רַבְרְבִ֔ין raverevin AAampa mighty eminent ones great 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7260-01 Daniel 2:48 רַבְרְבָ֤ן raverevan AAafpa many eminent ones very great ones
H7260-03 Daniel 3:33 רַבְרְבִ֔ין raverevin AAampa mighty eminent ones great
H7260-01 Daniel 7:3 רַבְרְבָ֔ן raverevan AAafpa great eminent ones very great ones
H7260-01 Daniel 7:7 רַבְרְבָ֔ן raverevan AAafpa great eminent ones very great ones
H7260-01 Daniel 7:8 רַבְרְבָֽן raverevan AAafpa great things eminent ones very great ones
H7260-02 Daniel 7:11 רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א raverevata AAafpd/Td the great the illustrious ones great
H7260-02 Daniel 7:17 רַבְרְבָתָ֔/א raverevata AAafpd/Td great the illustrious ones great
H7260-01 Daniel 7:20 רַבְרְבָ֔ן raverevan AAafpa very great things eminent ones very great things
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