נָבַב
𐤍𐤁𐤁
nâbab
H5014 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to be hollow, empty, or open (in a physical sense); by extension, to act senselessly or foolishly (reflecting inner emptiness). Primary lexical meaning is 'to be hollow, empty.' In figurative contexts, may denote lacking sense or being foolish.
Semantic Range
to be hollow or empty (physically), to be pierced or have an opening, to act foolishly or senselessly (metaphorically), to be vain or lacking in substance
Root / Etymology
Root נבב is associated with the concept of hollowness, openness, or emptiness. The verb נָבַב is a denominative root meaning 'to be hollow' or 'to make hollow,' from which nouns like נָבֳבָה (cavity, hollow) are derived. The figurative sense ('to act foolishly, to be senseless or vain') is a metaphorical extension of the core meaning, suggesting someone who is 'empty-witted' or lacking discernment. There are no clear cognates in other Semitic languages of the same form; the root is well attested in Hebrew, primarily in poetic or figurative usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb נָבַב occurs rarely and is used both in the literal sense (denoting something physically hollow or pierced: see e.g., construction or ritual settings) and in the figurative sense, especially in wisdom literature, to represent a person devoid of wisdom or substance. The semantic development from 'hollow' to 'foolish' parallels the use of roots like אוּל ('to be foolish') or כְּסִיל, but נָבַב uniquely invokes the imagery of 'emptiness' or lack of inner content. The English term 'vain' may be misleading since, in modern usage, it sometimes implies arrogance rather than emptiness. In later Hebrew, the root's use is largely restricted to poetic or rhetorical contexts. No significant post-biblical development of the term is documented. Standard English translations such as 'foolish' or 'vain' often fail to capture the full metaphorical nuance of 'being hollow' or 'empty-minded.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to pierce; to be hollow, or (figuratively) foolish; hollow, vain.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נבב (n-b-b) — to be hollow, to pierce, to be empty
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5014-02 |
נְב֥וּב | nevuv | HVqsmsc |
hollow | hollowed one | 2 |
H5014-01 |
נָבֽוּב | navuv | HVqsmsa |
hollow | hollowed one | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5014-02 |
Exodus 27:8 | נְב֥וּב | nevuv | HVqsmsc |
hollow | hollowed one |
H5014-02 |
Exodus 38:7 | נְב֥וּב | nevuv | HVqsmsc |
hollow | hollowed one |
H5014-01 |
Jeremiah 52:21 | נָבֽוּב | navuv | HVqsmsa |
hollow | hollowed one |
H5014-01 |
Job 11:12 | נָ֭בוּב | navuv | HVqsmsa |
vain | hollowed one |