Lexical Summary
nadib: Noble, generous, willing, princely
Original Word:נָדִיב
Part of Speech:Adjective; noun masculine
Transliteration:nadiyb
Pronunciation:naw-DEEB
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-deeb')
KJV: free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ((hearted))
NASB:nobles, princes, noble, prince, willing, generous man, moved
Word Origin:[fromH5068 (נָדַב - offered willingly)]
1. (properly) voluntary, i.e. generous
2. (hence) magnanimous
3. as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
free, liberal things, noble, prince, willing hearted
Fromnadab; properly, voluntary, i.e. Generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant) -- free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ((hearted)).
see HEBREWnadab
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
nadabDefinitioninclined, generous, noble
NASB Translationgenerous man (1), moved (1), noble (3), noble man (1), nobleman (1), nobles (7), prince (2), prince's (1), princes (6), willing (2), willing man (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
and
Isaiah 32:8 ; — absoluteIsaiah 32:5 6t.; constructExodus 35:5 2t.; femininePsalm 51:4; pluralIsaiah 13:2 9t.; constructNumbers 21:18 2t.; suffixPsalm 83:12; —
incited, inclined, willing,Exodus 35:5,22 (P),1 Chronicles 29:31 (see
),1 Chronicles 28:21;Psalm 51:14a willing spirit.
noble, princely, in rank1 Samuel 2:8 (poem),Job 12:21 =Psalm 107:40;Job 34:18;Proverbs 8:16;Psalm 47:10;Psalm 83:12;Psalm 113:8 (twice in verse);Psalm 118:9;Psalm 146:3;Proverbs 19:6;Proverbs 25:7;Job 21:28;Isaiah 13:2; Cant 7:2;Numbers 21:18 (poem).
noble in mind and character ""Proverbs 17:26; opposed toIsaiah 32:5,8.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewנָדִיב (nadib) describes a quality of noble generosity that is expressed either in social position (“prince,” “noble”) or in inward disposition (“willing,” “free-hearted”). The word appears about twenty-nine times across Torah, Historical Books, Psalms, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, consistently linking leadership with largeness of heart.
Nobility Attributed to God
Psalm 47:9 speaks of “the nobles of the nations” assembling “as the people of the God of Abraham” because “the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.” Divine sovereignty is the touchstone for all true nobility; human rulers are “shields” held in His hand.Psalm 113:8 shows God’s gracious nobility toward the lowly: “He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people.” Any elevation of the oppressed is a reflection of His own generous nature.
Human Leadership—Blessing and Accountability
1. Covenant society.Numbers 21:18 recounts that “The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people dug it.” The nation’s survival in the wilderness rested, in part, on leaders who labored for the common good.
2. Judges and deliverers.Judges 5 twice celebrates volunteer leaders: “When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD” (5:2); “My heart is with the commanders of Israel, with the volunteers among the people” (5:9). Here nadib leadership is courageous, initiative-taking, and God-honoring.
3. Monarchy. Wisdom texts frequently warn that the office alone does not guarantee true nobility.Proverbs 17:7—“Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!”—links integrity of speech with princely dignity.Proverbs 28:16 contrasts oppressive rule with noble understanding.Psalm 146:3 cautions, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.”
4. Divine judgment. God “pours contempt on nobles” who abuse power (Psalm 107:40;Job 12:21) and calls them to account (Job 34:18;Jeremiah 25:34).Isaiah 13:2 even portrays earth’s mightiest citadels falling when “the gates of the nobles” are invaded at God’s summons.
Willing Hearts in Worship and Giving
Exodus 35 traces the construction of the tabernacle to a people whose hearts were nadib:
• 35:5 “Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD.”
• 35:22, 26, 29 emphasize both men and women “whose hearts were willing.”
Freewill generosity flows from a liberated heart, not external compulsion, foreshadowing cheerful New-Covenant giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Social Relationships and Favor
Proverbs 19:6 notes, “Many seek the favor of the ruler, and everyone is a friend of the giver of gifts.” True nadib stature attracts dependents; yet Scripture warns against flattery without genuine wisdom (Proverbs 25:7). Hospitality, beneficence, and equity are marks of noble character, not merely high station.
Prophetic Vision of a Renewed Society
Isaiah 32 contrasts coming upheaval with an ideal future:
• 32:5 predicts that in righteous times “the fool will no longer be called noble.”
• 32:8 affirms, “But a noble man plans noble things; he stands up for noble causes.”
Here nadib is moral caliber empowered by the Spirit, prefiguring Messiah’s righteous reign (Isaiah 11:1–5).
Eschatological Assembly of Nations
Psalm 47:9 anticipates a global convergence of “nobles,” hinting at Revelation’s picture of kings bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24). The ultimate nadib community consists of redeemed rulers who acknowledge the true King.
Christological Fulfillment
Jesus Christ embodies perfect nadib. Though eternally royal (Philippians 2:6), He willingly gave Himself (John 10:18). His voluntary sacrifice surpasses every tabernacle contribution and sets the standard for servant-leadership: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). In Him believers become “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), called to reflect princely generosity.
Ministry Implications
1. Stewardship. Encourage offerings that spring from willing hearts, never coercion.
2. Leadership training. Develop character before conferring title; uphold truth-speaking, justice, and compassion as non-negotiables.
3. Social outreach. Model God’s elevation of the poor, integrating mercy and dignity.
4. Global mission. Pray toward the day when “the nobles of the nations assemble” under Christ’s lordship.
Summary
נָדִיב weaves together rank and readiness, crown and character. Scripture esteems princes who lead sacrificially, worshipers who give freely, and a coming kingdom where nobility is defined by conformity to the generous heart of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּנְדִיבִֽים׃ בִנְדִיבִ֑ים בנדיבים בנדיבים׃ וְנָדִ֖יב וּ֝נְדִיבִ֗ים ונדיב ונדיבים לְנָדִ֥יב לנדיב נְ֭דִיבֵמוֹ נְדִ֘יבֵ֤י נְדִ֣יב נְדִ֥יב נְדִיב֣וֹת נְדִיב֥וֹת נְדִיבִ֑ים נְדִיבִ֔ים נְדִיבִ֣ים נְדִיבִֽים׃ נְדִיבֵ֣י נְדִיבֵ֥י נְדִיבָ֣ה נָדִ֑יב נָדִ֤יב נָדִֽיב׃ נדיב נדיב׃ נדיבה נדיבות נדיבי נדיבים נדיבים׃ נדיבמו bin·ḏî·ḇîm ḇin·ḏî·ḇîm binḏîḇîm ḇinḏîḇîm bindiVim lə·nā·ḏîḇ lənāḏîḇ lenaDiv nā·ḏîḇ nāḏîḇ naDiv nə·ḏî·ḇāh nə·ḏî·ḇê nə·ḏî·ḇê·mōw nə·ḏî·ḇîm nə·ḏî·ḇō·wṯ nə·ḏîḇ nəḏîḇ nəḏîḇāh nəḏîḇê nəḏîḇêmōw nəḏîḇîm nəḏîḇōwṯ neDiv nediVah nediVei nedivemo nediVim nediVot ū·nə·ḏî·ḇîm ūnəḏîḇîm unediVim venaDiv vindiVim wə·nā·ḏîḇ wənāḏîḇ
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
