נָבַע
𐤍𐤁𐤏
nâbaʻ
H5042 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To bubble up, spring forth, or gush out, referring primarily to liquid or other substances that emerge with force or spontaneity. In extended or metaphorical usage, it means to utter, proclaim, or babble, especially words, sounds, or speech that pour out rapidly and abundantly, whether positive or negative. The term can also be used of emitting odors or other flows from a source.
Semantic Range
to bubble up (of liquids), to spring or gush forth, to emit (as a fountain), to pour out abundantly, to utter or speak effusively (of speech), to emit (as a source of odor or other emanation), to belch out
Root / Etymology
From the root נבע, which conveys the idea of bubbling up or gushing forth. The lexical form נָבַע is a verb derived directly from this root and denotes the act of something springing or flowing forth. The root itself seems to be imitative of the sound or act of bubbling. Its primary sense relates to physical fluids, while the derivative metaphorical sense concerns speech or utterance. The connection to odor emission emerges from the idea of something flowing or being released from a source.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נָבַע is used relatively sparingly, often describing physical phenomena such as water bubbling or gushing from the ground, as in the image of a spring or fountain. The transition to metaphorical usage, such as uttering words (whether praise, proclamation, or negative speech), is typical of Hebrew’s use of physical processes to illustrate internal or abstract actions. The verb lacks the specific prophetic connotation of related verbs like נבא (n-b-ʼ, 'to prophesy'), but can overlap semantically in contexts of abundant or uncontrolled speech. It is distinct from other terms for simple speaking (e.g., אמר, דבר) in its focus on the uncontrolled, effusive nature of the action. English translations vary between 'gush forth,' 'bubble up,' 'pour out,' and 'utter,' often depending on context. The semantic range covers both literal and figurative usage, which English versions may underrepresent by choosing only one sense. In later periods, similar imagery is used in post-biblical literature for effusive speech or emotion, maintaining the core idea of spontaneous outpouring.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor); belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).
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 spring out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4002 | מַבּוּעַ | the bubbling spring |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5042-04 |
יַבִּ֣יעַֽ | yabia | HVhi3ms |
cause to emit | he causes to gush | 4 |
H5042-01 |
אַבִּ֥יעָה | abiah | HVhh1cs |
I will pour out | let me cause to gush forth | 2 |
H5042-05 |
יַבִּ֣יעוּ | yabiu | HVhi3mp |
they pour forth | they cause to gush forth | 2 |
H5042-02 |
נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ | novea | HVqrmsa |
flowing | gushing-forth one | 1 |
H5042-06 |
יַבִּ֘יע֤וּ/ן | yabiun | HVhi3mp/Sn |
they belch out | they cause to gush forth | 1 |
H5042-03 |
תַּבַּ֣עְנָה | tabaenah | HVhi3fs |
may pour out | she will cause to gush forth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5042-04 |
Psalms 19:3 | יַבִּ֣יעַֽ | yabia | HVhi3ms |
pours forth | he causes to gush |
H5042-06 |
Psalms 59:8 | יַבִּ֘יע֤וּ/ן | yabiun | HVhi3mp/Sn |
they belch out | they cause to gush forth |
H5042-01 |
Psalms 78:2 | אַבִּ֥יעָה | abiah | HVhh1cs |
I will utter | let me cause to gush forth |
H5042-05 |
Psalms 94:4 | יַבִּ֣יעוּ | yabiu | HVhi3mp |
they pour forth | they cause to gush forth |
H5042-03 |
Psalms 119:171 | תַּבַּ֣עְנָה | tabaenah | HVhi3fs |
may pour out | she will cause to gush forth |
H5042-05 |
Psalms 145:7 | יַבִּ֑יעוּ | yabiu | HVhi3mp |
they shall utter | they cause to gush forth |
H5042-01 |
Proverbs 1:23 | אַבִּ֣יעָה | abiah | HVhh1cs |
I will pour out | let me cause to gush forth |
H5042-04 |
Proverbs 15:2 | יַבִּ֥יעַ | yabia | HVhi3ms |
spouts | he causes to gush |
H5042-04 |
Proverbs 15:28 | יַבִּ֥יעַ | yabia | HVhi3ms |
pours out | he causes to gush |
H5042-02 |
Proverbs 18:4 | נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ | novea | HVqrmsa |
flowing | gushing-forth one |