Lexical Summary
rib or rub: To strive, contend, dispute, quarrel, plead
Original Word:רִיב
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:riyb
Pronunciation:reeb
Phonetic Spelling:(reeb)
KJV: adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, X ever, X lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, X thoroughly
NASB:contend, contended, plead, quarreled, argue, complain, pleaded
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. (properly) to toss, i.e. grapple
2. (mostly figuratively) to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy
3. (by implication) to defend
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, ever, lay wait, plead,
Or ruwb {roob}; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend -- adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, X ever, X lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, X thoroughly.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto strive, contend
NASB Translationargue (2), complain (2), contend (22), contended (9), contends (1), dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1), find fault (1), have a quarrel (1), judge (1), plead (9), plead my case (1), plead your case (1), pleaded (2), pleads (1), quarrel (2), quarreled (3), quarrels (1), reprimanded (2), strive (1), vigorously plead (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[Nö
ZMG xxxvii (1883). 530, 534 Ges
§ 73b]
(compare Arabic
(
)agitate (the mind),
disquiet; compare also Syriac
cry, shout, Aph`el alsoquarrel noisily,
shouting, clamour (see Nöl.c.); on Sabean proper name = Arabic
see DHMib. 14); —
Perfect3masculine singularJudges 11:25;1 Samuel 25:29; 2masculine singularLamentations 3:58,Job 33:13, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularJudges 6:31 +, jussiveHosea 4:4;1 Samuel 24:16,Judges 6:31,32;Genesis 31:36 +; 2 masculine singularProverbs 3:30 Kt, Qr; 3 masculine pluralExodus 21:18, etc.;Imperative masculine singularMicah 6:1;Proverbs 25:9,Psalm 35:1 +, masculine pluralIsaiah 1:17;Hosea 2:4;Infinitive absoluteJudges 11:25,Job 40:2;Jeremiah 50:34 (Ges§ 73d Köi. 509 BaNB 80);constructIsaiah 3:13;Job 9:3 +Judges 21:22 Qr (Kt ),Amos 7:4;Proverbs 25:8;ParticipleIsaiah 19:20 +; —strive:
Exodus 21:18 (that is, one with another; E); public hostilities,Deuteronomy 33:7 (with)his hands he strove for it, with of Israel,Judges 11:25 ("" ).
personGenesis 31:36 (E),Exodus 17:2 a (J)Judges 6:32, so (in figurative)Hosea 2:4 compareHosea 2:4; often =quarrel, with person,Genesis 26:20;Exodus 17:2bNumbers 20:3 (all J),Nehemiah 13:25; subject GodJob 9:3;Job 13:19;Job 23:6; alsoJob 40:2 ( of God; on infinitive absolute see Ges§ 113ee), in GeneralProverbs 3:30; with personJudges 8:1;Nehemiah 5:7;Nehemiah 13:11,17, subjectIsaiah 49:25 (compare I. below),Psalm 35:1 ("" ); ofIsaiah 45:9 (participleone striving),Numbers 20:13 (P); with of thingGenesis 26:21,22; absolute =find faultHosea 4:4 ("" ). Especially
conduct a (legal)case, suit, usually figurative, subject;Isaiah 3:13 ("" ),Isaiah 57:16 ("" ),Psalm 103:9 ([]), compareAmos 7:4; with accusative of person with whom (unfriendly sense),Job 10:2;Isaiah 27:8; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb in good sense, = take one's part,1 Samuel 24:15 (Gi; v.1 Samuel 24:16 van d. H. Baer; "" ),Micah 7:9;Jeremiah 50:34 (, infinitive construct = infinitive absolute, see above),Jeremiah 51:36 ("" ),Lamentations 3:58;Proverbs 22:23;Psalm 43:1 (+ ; "" ),Psalm 119:154 (+ ), alsoPsalm 74:22 (God, his own cause); + person against whom1 Samuel 25:39 (of vengeance); + person against whomProverbs 23:11, so (without accusative of congnate meaning with verb)Isaiah 50:8;Jeremiah 2:9 (twice in verse); compareMicah 6:1 (II. ; , whence We Nowin the presence of, but on see
); =plead, with person for whomJudges 6:31 (3 t. in verse);Job 13:8, with accusative of person for whomIsaiah 1:17, of GodIsaiah 51:22, compareDeuteronomy 33:8 (obscure, see Dr); of human disputesProverbs 25:8,Proverbs 25:9.
=make complaint, with person unto and against whomJudges 21:22;Jeremiah 2:29;Jeremiah 12:1;Job 33:13.
Participle suffix1 Samuel 2:10 Kt (Qr ), i.e. (those)displaying contention against him (), compare plural constructHosea 4:4, obscure; RSProph. 406thy people have rebelled against me, O priest ! Beck Wü We GASm ( as voc., and [by some] joined toHosea 4:5); HermannSK, 1879, 516 {abbrev}, compare Oort (); RubenCrit, Rem. on the passage , so Now. —1 Samuel 15:5 see
Topical Lexicon
Overview of UsageStrong’s Hebrew רִיב appears roughly sixty-seven times, depicting “contending” or “bringing a case.” In Scripture it ranges from personal quarrels to formal litigation and, supremely, to the Lord’s own covenant lawsuit.
Human Litigation and Interpersonal Strife
1. Courtroom settings: “When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice” (Exodus 23:2).
2. Domestic disputes: Isaac’s servants and the herdsmen of Gerar “quarreled” over wells (Genesis 26:20–22).
3. Tribal or national feuds: Ephraim reproaches Jephthah, sparking civil war (Judges 12:1–2).
These narratives show how unrighteous contention fractures fellowship and calls for impartial adjudication.
Covenantal Lawsuit Motif
Prophets recast רִיב as the formal charge Yahweh brings against His covenant people.
•Isaiah 3:13-14: “The Lord takes His place to contend… He brings a charge against the elders of His people.”
•Micah 6:1-2 summons creation as witnesses while God pleads His case.
The motif underscores divine holiness and the moral demands of covenant life.
Yahweh as Advocate and Opponent
The same verb reveals God both championing and opposing:
• Advocate: “The Lord will take up their case” (Proverbs 22:23).
• Opponent: “Therefore I bring charges against you again” (Jeremiah 2:9).
• Personal defender: “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me” (Psalm 35:1).
The Lord’s willingness to plead for the helpless while prosecuting the unrepentant displays perfect justice and mercy.
Wisdom Instruction against Strife
Proverbs repeatedly counsels restraint:
• “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14).
• “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife” (Proverbs 20:3).
Peace-loving conduct marks the wise, foreshadowing New Testament exhortations to live peaceably with all.
Redemptive-Historical Trajectory
Isaiah’s Servant declares, “He who vindicates Me is near. Who will contend with Me?” (Isaiah 50:8). The resurrection answers every accusation, fulfilling the longing for final vindication (Romans 8:33-34). Thus every רִיב ultimately drives toward the cross and empty tomb where righteousness is upheld and mercy secured.
Pastoral and Ministry Implications
• Conflict Resolution: Church leaders safeguard unity by mediating disputes in truth and love.
• Advocacy: Defending the oppressed emulates Yahweh’s own practice (Jeremiah 22:16).
• Prophetic Preaching: Exposing sin and calling to repentance follow the pattern of the prophets’ lawsuits.
• Prayer Warfare: Believers appeal to God to contend with spiritual adversaries, trusting His vindication.
Historical Significance
In the Ancient Near East, litigation preserved social order. Scripture elevates it, showing earthly courts as reflections of the heavenly tribunal. The prophets’ lawsuits are unique among Near-Eastern texts, merging legal form with redemptive proclamation.
Select References for Study
Genesis 31:36;Exodus 17:2;Exodus 23:2-3;Deuteronomy 25:1;Judges 11:25;1 Samuel 24:15;Psalm 43:1;Psalm 74:22;Psalm 119:154;Proverbs 25:9;Isaiah 49:25;Jeremiah 50:34;Hosea 4:1;Micah 7:9;Zechariah 3:2.
Forms and Transliterations
אָרִ֔יב אָרִ֖יב אָרִ֥יב אָרִֽיב׃ אריב אריב׃ בְּ֝רִבָ֗ם ברבם הֲ֭רֹב הֲר֥וֹב הרב הרוב וְיָרֵ֣ב וְרִ֘יבָ֤ה וַיְרִיב֥וּן וַיָּ֖רֶב וַיָּ֣רֶב וַיָּ֤רֶב וַיָּ֥רֶב וַיָּרִ֖יבוּ וַיָּרִ֜יבוּ וָאָרִ֕יבָה וָאָרִ֙יבָה֙ וָאָרִ֤יב ואריב ואריבה וירב ויריבו ויריבון וריבה יְרִיבֻ֣ן יָ֣רֶב יָ֤רֶב יָרִ֑יב יָרִ֖יב יָרִ֣יב יָרִ֤יב יָרִ֥יב יָרֵ֖ב ירב יריב יריבן כִּמְרִיבֵ֥י כמריבי לָרִ֖יב לָרִ֗ב לָרִ֣יב לָרִ֥ב לרב לריב מְרִיבָ֗יו מריביו רִ֔יבוּ רִ֖יבוּ רִ֣יב רִ֤יבוּ רִ֥יב רִֽ֭יבְךָ רִיב֑וֹתָ רִיבָ֣ה רַ֧בְתָּ רָ֚ב רָב֖וּ רָב֙ רָב֥וּ רָב֩ רב רבו רבת ריב ריבה ריבו ריבות ריבך תְּרִיב֣וּן תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ תְּרִיבֵֽנִי׃ תְּרִיבֶ֑נָּה תְּרִיבֽוּן׃ תְּרִיבוּן֙ תָרִ֖יבוּ תָּרִ֣יב תריב תריבהו תריבו תריבון תריבון׃ תריבנה תריבני׃ ’ā·rîḇ ’ārîḇ aRiv bə·ri·ḇām bəriḇām beriVam hă·rō·wḇ hă·rōḇ haro hărōḇ haRov hărōwḇ kim·rî·ḇê kimrîḇê kimriVei lā·riḇ lā·rîḇ lāriḇ lārîḇ laRiv mə·rî·ḇāw mərîḇāw meriVav rā·ḇū rāḇ raḇ·tā raḇtā rāḇū rav Ravta raVu rî·ḇāh rî·ḇə·ḵā rî·ḇō·w·ṯā rî·ḇū rîḇ rîḇāh rîḇəḵā rîḇōwṯā rîḇū riv riVah Rivecha riVota Rivu ṯā·rî·ḇū tā·rîḇ tārîḇ ṯārîḇū taRiv taRivu tə·rî·ḇê·hū tə·rî·ḇê·nî tə·rî·ḇen·nāh tə·rî·ḇūn tərîḇêhū tərîḇênî tərîḇennāh tərîḇūn teriVehu teriVeni teriVennah teriVun vaaRiv vaaRivah vaiYarev vaiyaRivu vayriVun veRiVah veyaRev wā’ārîḇ wā’ārîḇāh wā·’ā·rî·ḇāh wā·’ā·rîḇ way·rî·ḇūn way·yā·reḇ way·yā·rî·ḇū wayrîḇūn wayyāreḇ wayyārîḇū wə·rî·ḇāh wə·yā·rêḇ wərîḇāh wəyārêḇ yā·reḇ yā·rêḇ yā·rîḇ yāreḇ yārêḇ Yarev yārîḇ yaRiv yə·rî·ḇun yərîḇun yeriVun
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