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רָבַב

𐤓𐤁𐤁

râbab

H7232 verb

SILEX Entry

Root רבב to shoot, to launch, to send forth

Definition

To shoot (as with arrows or darts); to launch a projectile. The verb fundamentally denotes the action of letting fly or sending something forcefully through the air, primarily in martial or hunting contexts, but also metaphorically for projecting outward.

Semantic Range

to shoot (an arrow), to launch a missile, to pierce suddenly, to send forth projectiles

Root / Etymology

The root is רָבַב (rbv), which in this specific form is associated with the idea of shooting or launching. The core root meaning centers around the notion of 'projecting' or 'casting.' Though רָבַב is also a root elsewhere with the sense 'to be many,' in this pointing and usage, it is held to be a distinct root, likely based on sound symbolism relating to motion or force. The etymology beyond Hebrew is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רָבַב in this sense is very rare and only attested in isolated and poetic or archaic contexts in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Job 16:13, where it is paralleled with images of attack and wounding as with archery. The more standard verbs for shooting or archery include יָרָה (yarah), but רָבַב can denote a more forceful or piercing action. In later Biblical Hebrew and post-biblical sources, this verb does not continue in active use, being replaced by other roots. English translations (such as 'shoot') capture the basic action but may overlook the nuance of violence or suddenness often implied. No connection should be made with the more common root רָבַב meaning 'to be many,' despite identical consonants; these are treated as separate etymologies in lexicographic tradition. The verb does not acquire figurative or expanded senses beyond the literal or physical act in biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (rather identical with רָבַב through the idea of projection); to shoot an arrow; shoot.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רבב (r-b-b) — to be many, to become great, to multiply

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1337 בַּת רַבִּים many
H2579 חֲמַת רַבָּה great
H4764 מֵרָב Abundant one
H7227 רַב many
H7228 רַב his archers

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7232-01 רָ֝ב rav HVqp3ms many great 1
H7232-02 וָ/רֹ֑בּוּ varobu HC/Vqp3cp and shot at him and they shot 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7232-02 Genesis 49:23 וָ/רֹ֑בּוּ varobu HC/Vqp3cp and shot at him and they shot
H7232-01 Psalms 18:15 רָ֝ב rav HVqp3ms many great
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