Lexical Summary
rab: Many, much, great, chief, captain
Original Word:רַב
Part of Speech:Adjective; feminine; noun masculine
Transliteration:rab
Pronunciation:rahv
Phonetic Spelling:(rab)
KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent)
Word Origin:[by contracted fromH7231 (רָבַב - many)]
1. abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
in abundance, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, greatly, man, one,
By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
see HEBREWrabab
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
429 ; — masculine singular absolute
Genesis 24:25+,
Genesis 33:9+, also 2Chronicles 20:2 2Chronicles 28:8,
Ezra 10:13, etc.; construct
Exodus 34:6 +; feminine singular
Numbers 11:33 +; construct
Ezekiel 22:5 + (Ges
§90 k 1)
Lamentations 1:1 (twice in verse); masculine plural absolute
Exodus 23:2 (twice in verse)+, construct see II. ; feminine plural absolute
Genesis 30:43 +; — [often both as predicate and as attributive; as attributive preceding noun (influence of usage for numerals ? Kö
Synt.§334 k Ges
§ 132b):
Isaiah 63:7;
Psalm 145:7 (but read probably , ; in
Isaiah 21:7 is predicate),
Jeremiah 16:16;
Psalm 32:10;
Psalm 89:51 (on context Bö
NÄ Bae, also Hup),
Proverbs 7:26;
1 Chronicles 28:5,
Nehemiah 9:28;
Proverbs 31:29]; —
(often opposed to )
-1much: of substances, gold1 Kings 10:2;Psalm 19:11, silver (money)2 Kings 12:11; 2Chron
pluralmany: personExodus 5:5;Judges 8:30;Judges 9:40;1 Kings 4:20;1 Kings 11:1+, thingsGenesis 30:48;Amos 5:12;Deuteronomy 31:17 +; noun omittedDaniel 11:41 (that is, lands; readmyriads Kmp Bev Behrm Marti Prince);many days (a long time)Genesis 21:34;Genesis 37:24+28 t.,Nehemiah 9:30;Ecclesiastes 6:3a,Leviticus 25:51;Nehemiah 9:28many times (see above) =Psalm 106:43;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Deuteronomy 25:3many blows;many watersNumbers 20:11+27 t., compareIsaiah 8:7; etc.
as substantive collective personExodus 19:21, also (opposed to )1 Samuel 14:6;Numbers 13:18;Numbers 26:54,56;Numbers 33:54;Numbers 35:8; so (Ges§ 130a) 2 Chronicles 30:17,18, and (thing; =much)Ezekiel 24:12; construct before abstract (= )Isaiah 21:7;Isaiah 63:7;Psalm 145:7; especially plural of personExodus 23:2 (twice in verse) +37 t. + Cant 7:5.
construct=abounding in,Proverbs 28:20, (see I. ),Psalm 147:5,Proverbs 28:27,Ezekiel 22:5,Ezekiel 17:7,Jeremiah 32:19,2 Samuel 23:20=1 Chronicles 11:22,Proverbs 29:22Proverbs 14:29;Jeremiah 51:13,1 Samuel 2:5Lamentations 1:1 (Ges§ 90l).
+ compare=more numerous thanExodus 1:9;Numbers 22:15;Joshua 10:11;Judges 16:30;2 Kings 6:16;Isaiah 54:1;1 Chronicles 24:4; 2Chronicles 32:7;Daniel 11:13; followed by infinitive,too many toGenesis 36:7;Judges 7:2 (compareJudges 7:4); see also following
=abundant, enoughGenesis 24:25;Genesis 33:9; as exclamationenough!Genesis 45:28;2 Samuel 24:16;1 Chronicles 21:15;1 Kings 19:4, so (+ infinitive)Exodus 9:28 ( ); (with implication of excess)Deuteronomy 3:26 (let it)suffice thee! soEzekiel 45:9, alsoNumbers 16:3,7= ye assume too much ! + infinitiveit is enough for you toDeuteronomy 1:6;Deuteronomy 2:3 (i.e. you have done it enough), so+ infinitive1 Kings 12:23, substantiveEzekiel 44:6.
as adverbmuch, exceedingly (only Psalms),Psalm 123:3,Psalm 18:15 (Hup De Che and others; HPS2Samuel 22:15 conjectures omits ""2 Samuel 22:15);Psalm 62:3;Psalm 78:15;Psalm 89:8 (. Bae ); (Aramaism, compare Syriac
,
, Nö§ 155 A&WSG 135)Psalm 65:10;Psalm 120:6 (=long enough),Psalm 123:4;Psalm 129:1;Psalm 129:2;
great:
1 Samuel 26:13, the deepAmos 7:4;Genesis 7:11;Isaiah 51:10;Psalm 36:7(figurative), cityLamentations 1:1 ( Ges§), — see also ; -plagueNumbers 11:33, empireEsther 1:20 goodnessPsalm 31:20, wickednessGenesis 6:5, etc.
specificallystrong (opposed to ) 2 Chron 14:10;Isaiah 63:1 so as substantiveIsaiah 53:12 ("" ).
major natuGenesis 25:23 (opposed to ); as substantivegrandoevi,Job 32:9.
+ comparegreater thanDeuteronomy 7:1,17;Deuteronomy 9:14;Deuteronomy 20:1too great forJoshua 19:9;1 Kings 19:7 —Proverbs 26:10 is hopelessly corrupt, see Toy.
II.49 (Assyrian-Babylonian influence, comparerab DlHWB 609 b; Biblical Aramic ); — constructJeremiah 39:9+; plural constructJeremiah 39:13;Jeremiah 41:1 (but see below); — especiallychief of guardsmen (see ), only as title of Babylonian officerJeremiah 30:9,10 15t. Jeremiah, 7 t ""2 Kings 25 (compare in Gen [J E]); alsoJonah 1:6chief of the sailors, i.e. captain; in GeneralEsther 1:8,Daniel 1:3 (see ), and soJeremiah 39:13,Jeremiah 41:1 (late gloss; omitted by and ""2 Kings 25:25, so Hi Gf Gie). The following titles of Assyrian -Babylonian officers are probably loan-words in Hebrew:Jeremiah 39:3,13 usuallychief soothsayer (see ), but =rab-mugi [? chief of princes] PinchesHast. DB. BAB-MAG; (compare Old Aramaic [Nineveh] Lzb386),2 Kings 18:17 (Assyrian; not in ""Isaiah 36:2),Jeremiah 39:8,13 (Babylonian ), usuallychief eunuch, but =rabû-ša-rêši,chief of the heads (the principal men) WklUnters. x.altor.Geschichte.1889, Excurs. v, p. 138 (actually found asrubû-ša-ri-ešu PinchesAcad June 25,1892, 618), PinchesHast.DB.RAB-SARIS; (van d. H. )chief of the officers (?) (so probably Assyrianrab-ŠA†;ša‡kû =high one; COT2Kings 18:17 KBii.23 DlHWB 685 a TieleBab.-As. Geschichte.497.513 PinchesHast.DB.iv 191),2 Kings 18:17,19,26,27,37;2 Kings 19:4,8 =Isaiah 36:2;Isaiah 36:4;Isaiah 36:11;Isaiah 36:13 (twice in verse);Isaiah 36:22;Isaiah 37:4,8;
(√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew I. , , ).
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Range of Meaningרַב (Strong 7227) functions across the Hebrew canon as an adjective, adverb, substantive, and title. It conveys ideas of multitude, abundance, greatness, intensity, and preeminence. The contexts span numerical quantity, moral and spiritual magnitude, administrative rank, and prophetic promise. Roughly four hundred sixty-two occurrences give the word a pervasive influence on the theology and narrative flow of Scripture.
Describing Quantity and Abundance
1. Countable multitudes: “Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD, exceedingly so” (Genesis 13:13).
2. Uncountable plenty: “The land had produced abundantly” (Genesis 41:47).
3. Longer time periods: “Israel has lived many days without a true god” (Hosea 3:4).
In each instance רַב underlines the scale—whether people, produce, or days—emphasizing the generous or excessive.
Expressing Magnitude and Greatness
Applied to strength, power, or wealth, the term draws attention to superiority. “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7); the amplified comparison turns on רַב. Likewise, “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 48:1) couples divine greatness with abundant praise.
The Majority Versus the Few
Israel’s self-understanding often pivots on contrasts between “many” and “few.” Moses reminds the nation, “The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7). רַב here implies collective strength that Israel lacks in her own right, magnifying grace.
Abounding Character of God
Key covenantal formulas rely on רַב to celebrate divine mercy:
• “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).
• “The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion” (Numbers 14:18).
The same word that measures human multitudes measures the immeasurable attributes of God, establishing a lexicon of assurance for worship and prayer (Psalm 86:5;Psalm 103:8).
Human Sin and Judgment in Great Measure
The breadth of wickedness receives equal emphasis: “The wickedness of man was great upon the earth” (Genesis 6:5); Nineveh’s “wickedness has come up before Me” (Jonah 1:2). Prophets often juxtapose abundant sin with abundant mercy, highlighting both the seriousness of judgment and the possibility of redemption (Isaiah 1:15-18).
Promise of Multiplication
The Abrahamic covenant hinges on the pledge, “I will greatly multiply your offspring” (Genesis 22:17). רַב supplies the verb or adjective for divine multiplication of seed, livestock, and blessing (Deuteronomy 28:11). The word thereby becomes a vehicle for hope, framing Israel’s population growth (Exodus 1:7) and foreshadowing the ingathering of Gentiles (Isaiah 60:5).
Messianic Overtones
Isaiah’s Servant Song uses the plural form to declare, “My righteous Servant will justify many” (Isaiah 53:11). “Many” accentuates the expansive scope of atonement without universalizing it—a term echoed by Jesus in the institution of the cup, “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
Rabbim as an Eschatological People
Daniel foresees resurrection: “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake” (Daniel 12:2). The “many” portrays a vast assembly entering eternal destinies. Zechariah describes “many peoples and strong nations” seeking the Lord in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:22), linking quantity with fulfillment of prophetic pilgrimage.
Administrative and Military Titles
In several texts רַב becomes a noun meaning “chief” or “officer.” The Assyrian field commander is a “Rab-shakeh” (2 Kings 18:17). Babylonian officials—“chief of the eunuchs” (Daniel 1:3) and “chief priest” (Jeremiah 39:13)—bear titles built on the root. Within Israel, “captains of the guard” (2 Kings 25:24) carry similar nomenclature, signaling authority derived from preeminence rather than lineage.
Liturgical and Devotional Use
Psalms repeatedly employ רַב to magnify thanksgiving:
• Abundant mercy (Psalm 51:1).
• Great joy in salvation (Psalm 40:16).
Public worship thus draws vocabulary for exuberance and contrition alike from this single word.
Practical Ministry Application
1. Preaching: Contrast “many” sins with “abundant” grace (Romans 5:15 draws on the Septuagint’s use of πολὺς for רַב).
2. Counseling: Encourage believers that God’s “abundant mercy” outweighs “many transgressions.”
3. Mission: The promise of “many nations” invites global evangelism, trusting God to multiply spiritual offspring.
4. Leadership: Titles derived from רַב remind servants of Christ that true greatness is stewardship, not privilege (Mark 10:42-45).
Sample Index of Key Occurrences
Genesis 6:5;Genesis 15:1;Exodus 34:6;Numbers 14:18;Deuteronomy 7:7;Deuteronomy 28:11;Joshua 11:4;Judges 16:30;1 Samuel 18:7;2 Samuel 18:8;1 Kings 8:5;2 Kings 18:17;1 Chronicles 11:21;2 Chronicles 24:24;Nehemiah 9:19;Esther 8:17;Job 1:3;Psalm 5:7;Psalm 86:15;Proverbs 28:28;Ecclesiastes 5:10;Isaiah 53:11;Jeremiah 32:19;Ezekiel 16:7;Daniel 12:2;Hosea 9:7;Joel 2:13;Jonah 4:2;Micah 4:3;Zechariah 8:22;Malachi 1:11.
The pervasive reach of רַב invites readers to contemplate the exceeding breadth of both human need and divine provision, shaping a biblical worldview of abundance, responsibility, and hope.
Forms and Transliterations
בְ֝רַבִּ֗ים בְּרַ֖ב בְּרָב־ בָּֽרַבִּ֔ים בָרַבִּ֗ים ברב ברב־ ברבים הַבְּרָב־ הָֽרַבִּ֔ים הָֽרַבִּ֗ים הָֽרַבִּ֜ים הָרַב֙ הָרַבִּ֑ים הָרַבִּ֛ים הָרַבִּֽים׃ הָרַבִּים֩ הָרָ֑ב הָרָ֖ב הָרָ֛ב הָרָ֜ב הָרָֽב׃ הָרָב֙ הברב־ הרב הרב׃ הרבים הרבים׃ וְ֠רַבִּים וְהָ֣רַבִּ֔ים וְרַ֕ב וְרַ֖ב וְרַ֛ב וְרַ֣ב ׀ וְרַ֥ב וְרַבִּ֕ים וְרַבִּ֖ים וְרַבִּ֛ים וְרַבִּ֞ים וְרַבִּ֡ים וְרַבֵּ֨י וְרַבַּ֥ת וְרַבָּ֖ה וְרַבָּ֥ה וְרַבּ֖וֹת וְרַב־ וְרָב־ וָרָ֑ב וָרָ֖ב וָרָֽב׃ והרבים ורב ורב־ ורב׃ ורבה ורבות ורבי ורבים ורבת לְרַבִּ֑ים לְרַבִּ֣ים לָֽרַבִּ֑ים לָֽרַבִּֽים׃ לָרַ֗ב לָרַ֞ב לָרַבִּ֖ים לרב לרבים לרבים׃ מֵרַבִּֽים׃ מרבים׃ רַ֔ב רַ֖ב רַ֗ב רַ֛ב רַ֜ב רַ֝֗ב רַ֝בִּ֗ים רַ֠בַּת רַ֣ב רַ֤ב רַ֥ב רַ֭בִּים רַ֭בַּת רַ֭בּוֹת רַּב֙ רַֽב־ רַב֙ רַבִּ֑ים רַבִּ֔ים רַבִּ֕ים רַבִּ֖ים רַבִּ֗ים רַבִּ֛ים רַבִּ֜ים רַבִּ֞ים רַבִּ֣ים רַבִּ֣ים ׀ רַבִּ֤ים רַבִּ֥ים רַבִּ֥ים ׀ רַבִּ֧ים רַבִּ֨ים רַבִּֽים׃ רַבִּים֒ רַבִּים֙ רַבִּים֮ רַבֵּ֥י רַבַּ֖ת רַבַּ֣ת רַבַּ֥ת רַבַּ֬ת רַבַּת֮ רַבָּ֑ה רַבָּ֔ה רַבָּ֖ה רַבָּ֗ה רַבָּ֛ה רַבָּ֣ה רַבָּ֣תִי רַבָּ֤ה רַבָּ֥ה רַבָּֽה׃ רַבָּה֙ רַבּ֑וֹת רַבּ֔וֹת רַבּ֖וֹת רַבּ֗וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת רַבּ֜וֹת רַבּ֣וֹת רַבּ֤וֹת רַבּ֥וֹת רַבּ֨וֹת רַבּֽוֹת׃ רַבּוֹת֙ רַבּוֹת֮ רַב־ רָ֑ב רָ֑בָּה רָ֔ב רָ֕ב רָ֖ב רָ֗ב רָ֛ב רָ֝֗ב רָ֣ב רָ֭ב רָֽב׃ רָב֒ רָב֙ רָב־ רב רב־ רב׃ רבה רבה׃ רבות רבות׃ רבי רבים רבים׃ רבת רבתי bā·rab·bîm ḇā·rab·bîm barabBim bārabbîm ḇārabbîm bə·raḇ bə·rāḇ- ḇə·rab·bîm bəraḇ bərāḇ- ḇərabbîm beRav berov hā·raḇ hā·rāḇ hā·rab·bîm hab·bə·rāḇ- habbərāḇ- habberov hāraḇ hārāḇ harabBim hārabbîm haRav lā·raḇ lā·rab·bîm lāraḇ LarabBim lārabbîm laRav lə·rab·bîm lerabBim lərabbîm mê·rab·bîm merabBim mêrabbîm raḇ rāḇ raḇ- rāḇ- rab·bā·ṯî rab·bāh rāb·bāh rab·baṯ rab·bê rab·bîm rab·bō·wṯ rabBah rabbāh rābbāh rabBat rabbaṯ rabBati rabbāṯî rabbê rabBei rabBim rabbîm rabBot rabbōwṯ Rav rov varabBim vaRav veHarabBim verabBah verabBat verabBei Verabbim verabBot veRav verov wā·rāḇ wārāḇ wə·hā·rab·bîm wə·raḇ wə·raḇ- wə·rāḇ- wə·rab·bāh wə·rab·baṯ wə·rab·bê wə·rab·bîm wə·rab·bō·wṯ wəhārabbîm wəraḇ wəraḇ- wərāḇ- wərabbāh wərabbaṯ wərabbê wərabbîm wərabbōwṯ
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