← H7240 H7242 →

רָבִיב

𐤓𐤁𐤉𐤁

râbîyb

H7241 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רבב to be many, to multiply, to become numerous, to be abundant

Definition

A heavy shower or rainstorm characterized by a significant accumulation of raindrops; specifically denotes a copious or abundant rainfall, often implying an intense or pouring rain distinct from lighter, scattered rain. The word is usually used in poetic contexts to evoke imagery of sustained, plentiful rainfall.

Semantic Range

heavy rain, copious shower, abundant rainfall, intense rainstorm, downpour

Root / Etymology

From the root רבב (ר-ב-ב), which carries the core sense of 'to be many, to multiply, to become numerous or abundant.' The noun רָבִיב (râbîyb) derives from this root, indicating something that comes in abundance—in this case, an abundance of raindrops resulting in a heavy rain or shower.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רָבִיב occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible (Psalm 72:6) and is poetic in tone. It stands in contrast to more common terms like גֶּשֶׁם (geshem, 'rain') and מָטָר (matar, 'rain'), both of which refer to rain generally or as a phenomenon. רָבִיב emphasizes the abundant and copious aspect of rainfall, making it suitable for poetic or elevated descriptions of fertility and blessing. In translation traditions, it is sometimes rendered as 'shower,' 'abundant rain,' or 'plentiful rain,' though these can obscure the nuance of gathered, multiplied raindrops implied in the Hebrew term. Later Rabbinic literature does not preserve this form, and its meaning is primarily reconstructed from scriptural context and cognate Semitic roots. Its association with divine blessing in agricultural contexts highlights its rhetorical force in Israelite poetry, particularly in appeals for fecundity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָבַב; a rain (as an accumulation of drops); shower.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

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

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

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7241-03 רְבִבִ֔ים revivim HNcmpa showers abundant downpours 2
H7241-02 כִּ/רְבִיבִ֖ים kirevivim HR/Ncmpa like showers like abundant downpours 2
H7241-01 בִּ/רְבִיבִ֥ים birevivim HR/Ncmpa with showers copious downpours 1
H7241-04 וְ/כִ/רְבִיבִ֖ים vekhirevivim HC/R/Ncmpa and as showers and as abundant downpours 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7241-04 Deuteronomy 32:2 וְ/כִ/רְבִיבִ֖ים vekhirevivim HC/R/Ncmpa and as showers and as abundant downpours
H7241-03 Jeremiah 3:3 רְבִבִ֔ים revivim HNcmpa the showers abundant downpours
H7241-03 Jeremiah 14:22 רְבִבִ֑ים revivim HNcmpa showers abundant downpours
H7241-02 Micah 5:6 כִּ/רְבִיבִ֖ים kirevivim HR/Ncmpa like showers like abundant downpours
H7241-01 Psalms 65:11 בִּ/רְבִיבִ֥ים birevivim HR/Ncmpa with showers copious downpours
H7241-02 Psalms 72:6 כִּ֝/רְבִיבִ֗ים kirevivim HR/Ncmpa like showers like abundant downpours
← H7240 Hebrew Lexicon H7242 →