← H2987 H2989 →

יָבָל

𐤉𐤁𐤋

yâbâl

H2988 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יבל to bring, lead, carry, conduct

Definition

A natural stream or watercourse, typically referring to a channel or flow of water in a landscape, such as a river, brook, or ravine with running water. This term indicates a specific kind of water flow, often a perennial or semi-perennial current shaped by terrain, and not a man-made or seasonal water feature. In poetic or metaphorical use, it can allude to vitality, abundance, or the life-giving aspect of water.

Semantic Range

stream, watercourse, brook, channel, flowing water, natural flow, sometimes metaphorical for vitality or abundance

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root יבל, which in its verbal form means 'to bring, lead, conduct,' especially in the sense of bringing or bearing along by a flowing motion. The noun יָבָל is derived from this root, metaphorically describing a channel or stream that 'leads' or 'carries' water across the land.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יָבָל is a relatively rare word for stream, appearing in poetic and wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Job). It often stands in parallel with other water terms like נַחַל (wadi, brook), though יָבָל tends to emphasize the function of the stream as a conveyor of water rather than simply a riverbed. Unlike נָהָר (major river) or ים (sea), יָבָל references medium-sized watercourses, sometimes perennial but potentially intermittent, depending on context. It rarely refers to artificial canals or aqueducts, reserving that meaning for other terms (e.g., תעלה). Later translation traditions sometimes rendered it as 'river' or 'stream,' and in poetic contexts in English (including KJV), it occasionally appears as 'flood' or 'brook,' though these may not reflect the technical nuance of the Hebrew term. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term is rare and is largely replaced by other terms for streams.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָבַל; a stream; (water-) course, stream.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

יבל (y-b-l) — bring, lead, carry, conduct

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H180 אוּבָל the water-bearing stream
H2981 יְבוּל and her yield
H2986 יָבַל I will conduct them
H2987 יְבַל and to cause to bring
H2989 יָבָל Flow-Bringer

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2988-01 יִבְלֵי yiveley HNcmpc streams streams of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2988-01 Isaiah 30:25 יִבְלֵי yiveley HNcmpc streams streams of
H2988-01 Isaiah 44:4 יִבְלֵי yiveley HNcmpc the channels streams of
← H2987 Hebrew Lexicon H2989 →