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רִבּוֹ

𐤓𐤁𐤅

ribbôw

H7240 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root רבב to be many, multiply, become numerous

Definition

A unit of ten thousand; used both specifically to indicate the numeral 10,000 and, more generally, to signify an innumerable, exceedingly large quantity in hyperbolic or figurative contexts. The term can function as a collective to denote 'myriad' or 'countless multitudes.'

Semantic Range

ten thousand (specific number), myriad (large indefinite quantity), multitude, countless throng

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root רבב (ר-ב-ב), meaning 'to be many, to multiply,' the Aramaic form רִבּוֹ directly parallels the Hebrew רְבָבָה (revavah, 'myriad'). The noun ribbôw is constructed in Aramaic using standard nominal patterns to signify a large numerative value.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רִבּוֹ appears only in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel (e.g. Dan 7:10), where it is used for immense, often symbolic, numbers (e.g., 'a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him'). The term ribbôw in these contexts often conveys overwhelming magnitude, particularly in visions or apocalyptic settings, in contrast to the more concrete use of רבבה (revavah) in classical Hebrew legal and narrative contexts, where it frequently designates an actual count of 10,000. Later Hebrew and Second Temple literature continue to use derivatives for 'myriad' as an indefinite large quantity. English translations often use 'ten thousand' or 'myriad,' but the underlying sense is frequently that of immense number rather than precise tally. The Greek Septuagint similarly renders this term as μυριάς (myrias). It is important to distinguish the formal numeral from its metaphorical or hyperbolic usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to רִבּוֹ; {a myriad, i.e. indefinitely, large number}; [idiom] ten thousand times ten thousand.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

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

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7240-03 וְ/רִבּ֥וֹ veribo AC/Acfsc and ten thousand myriad of 1
H7240-01 רִבְבָ֖ן rivevan AAcfpa ten thousand ten-thousands 1
H7240-02 רבון rvvn AAcfpa times myriads 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7240-03 Daniel 7:10 וְ/רִבּ֥וֹ veribo AC/Acfsc and ten thousand myriad of
H7240-02 Daniel 7:10 רבון rvvn AAcfpa times myriads
H7240-01 Daniel 7:10 רִבְבָ֖ן rivevan AAcfpa ten thousand ten-thousands
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