Zechariah 10:8 — Word Study
WLCאֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה לָהֶ֛ם וַאֲקַבְּצֵ֖ם כִּ֣י פְדִיתִ֑ים וְרָב֖וּ כְּמ֥וֹ רָבֽוּ׃
BSAI will whistleshâraq▸ [hiss, signal] to gatherqâbats▸ [collect, assemble] forkîy I have redeemed thempâdâh■ [ransomed, set free] and they will be as numerousrâbâh■ [multiply, increase] askᵉmôw they once wererâbâh■ [previously, in the past]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה | I will whistle | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| לָהֶ֛ם | for them | Preposition, suffix |
| וַאֲקַבְּצֵ֖ם | and I will gather them | Conjunction, verb piel first person common singular, suffix |
| כִּ֣י | for | Particle |
| פְדִיתִ֑ים | I have redeemed them | Verb qal perfect first person common singular, suffix |
| וְרָב֖וּ | and they will multiply | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person common plural |
| כְּמ֥וֹ | as | Preposition |
| רָבֽוּ׃ | they multiplied | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were. |
| KJV | I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. |
| ASV | I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased. |
| YLT | I hist for them, and I gather them, For I have redeemed them, And they have multiplied as they did multiply. |
| WEB | I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before. |
| BBE | With the sound of the pipe I will get them together; for I have given the price to make them free: and they will be increased as they were increased. |
The translations agree on the key terms and meanings in this verse.
The sentence is structured around a main action with supporting clauses that explain purpose and outcome.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁרַק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Zechariah 10:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Restoration of Israelgenerated
Zechariah 10:8 speaks of God's promise to gather His people after redeeming them. This verse emphasizes God's active role in calling His people back together, highlighting His faithfulness and the hope of restoration. The surrounding verses illustrate the joy and abundance that will come with this gathering, as seen in verse 7, where Ephraim's heart is filled with gladness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 5:26 | He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! |
| 2 | Isaiah 7:18 | On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria. |
| 3 | Isaiah 11:11–12 | On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. |
| 4 | Isaiah 27:12–13 | In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered one by one. |
| 5 | Isaiah 55:1–3 | “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 20 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה, 'esh.re.Kahgenerated
The verb שָׁרַק (sharaq) means to whistle or hiss, conveying a sharp sound used to call someone or express scorn. It is a primitive root, emphasizing the sound's shrillness and its function as a signal.
In this verse, it indicates God's initiative in gathering His people. The use of the first person singular suggests a personal and direct action from God, who is actively summoning His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which translates אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה as whistle.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה governs the sentence, indicating God's action. It is followed by a clause explaining the purpose of the action and another clause that describes the outcome of God's redemptive act.
The structure emphasizes God's initiative in gathering His people, with the verbs אֲקַבְּצֵ֖ם and וְרָב֖וּ showing the sequential actions of gathering and multiplying.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה as σημανῶ — to signal. This choice highlights the act of calling or summoning, which aligns with the original Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly broader connotation of signaling.
This translation reflects the translators' understanding of God's active role in gathering His people, emphasizing the authority behind the call.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Zechariah 10:8 shows God promising to call His people together after redeeming them. He will whistle for them to gather, and they will become as numerous as they were before. This verse highlights God's faithfulness and the hope of restoration for His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's initiative in calling His people together, indicating a personal and direct action to gather them.
Redemption here refers to God's act of rescuing His people, which enables their gathering and multiplication.
It emphasizes the restoration and growth of God's people, reflecting His blessings and faithfulness.
The surrounding verses highlight the joy and abundance that will accompany God's gathering of His people, reinforcing the theme of restoration.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's call in my life?
- How can I be a part of gathering others into the community of faith?
- What does it mean to me that God has redeemed me?
- How can I reflect the abundance of God's blessings in my life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome comments on this verse, noting the promise of gathering and multiplication as a fulfillment of God's redemptive work.
I will hiss for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them; and they shall be multiplied as they were multiplied before.Early Church Fathers on Zechariah 10 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Zechariah 10:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will hiss for them,.... Or "whistle for them" (p); the word signifies, as Kimchi and Ben Melech observe, the motion of the lips with the voice, and is a sign of calling; and so the Targum renders
Read John Gill on Zechariah 10 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. I will hiss for them, and gather them. Keepers of bees by a whistle call them together.
Read Robert Jamieson on Zechariah 10 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI will hiss for them; though they are now scattered far off, I will cause them to return; I will whistle, as a shepherd, and they, as scattered sheep, shall run with sped back to the flock: I called their enemies so once, and they came, 7:18,19; and my people will come when thus I call to them. And gather them; this shall be enough to bring them together; or it shall be done as soon as spoke, so soon as I whistle they shall return. I have redeemed them; I have been at the care and charge of redeeming, I raised Cyrus to do it; I bestowed all nations and kingdoms on him, and afterwards on Darius Hystaspes, to do this, to restore my exiles, to replant Judah, to rebuild the city and temple; and…
Read Matthew Poole on Zechariah 10 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsZechariah 10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.Ver. 8. I will hiss for them and gather them] As a shepherd hisseth or whistleth for his flock. See Judges 5:16, where it should not be translated the bleatings of the flocks, but the hissings or whistlings of the shepherds to their flocks, when they would get them together. God, who hath all creatures at his beck and call, can easily bring back his banished, gather together his dispersed with a turn of a hand, Zechariah 13:7, with a blast of his mouth, as here; as if any offer to oppose him herein, he can blow them to destruction, Job 4:9. He can frown them to…
Read John Trapp on Zechariah 10 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersTHE FURTHER OF ISRAEL (Zechariah 10:8-12). (8) A yet further redemption of Israel was to take place before the consummation of these victorious promises. Some critics have considered this passage as conclusive against the assumption of a post-exilic origin of these latter chapters. But Zechariah 8:8 speaks in similar terms: “And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem;” and yet the genuineness of that passage has never been called in question. The fact is that the restoration under Zerubbabel was most incomplete: only some 42,360 returned from exile under him. There was a further return of exiles under Ezra, in 458 B.C., some twenty years posterior to the probable…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Zechariah 10 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. I will hiss for them] אשרקה eshrekah, "I will shriek for them;" call them with such a shrill strong voice, that they shall hear me, and find that it is the voice of their redemption.
Read AdamClarke on Zechariah 10 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. I will hiss for them] “Formerly God had so spoken of His summoning the enemies of His people to chastise them (Isaiah 7:18-19; Isaiah 5:26-27). He would gather them like the countless numbers of the insect creation, which if united would irresistibly desolate life. He would summon them as the bee-owner, by his shrill call, summons and unites his own swarm. Now, contrariwise, God would summon with the same His own people. The fulfilment of the chastisement was the earnest of the ease of the fulfilment of the mercy.” Pusey. as they have increased] i.e. formerly in Egypt. Exodus 1:7; Exodus 1:12. “Multiplicabuntur in exsilio, ut multiplicati fuerunt in Ægypto.” Jarchi, quoted by Maurer.…
Read Cambridge on Zechariah 10 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will hiss for them - Formerly God had so spoken of His summoning the enemies of His people to chastise them.
Read Albert Barnes on Zechariah 10 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before.
I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
I will signal for them and gather them, for I have already redeemed them; then they will become as numerous as they were before.
Tyndale line
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
I will hiss for them, and gather them: for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
I will hisse for them, and gather them: for I haue redeemed them: and they shall encrease, as they haue encreased.
Strictly literal
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall multiply as they used to multiply.
I hist for them, and I gather them, For I have redeemed them, And they have multiplied as they did multiply.
I hiss for them, and I gather them, || For I have redeemed them, || And they have multiplied as they multiplied.
I will call for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased [formerly].
I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will rescue them, and they will become as great as they previously were!
From the Latin
I will whistle for them, and I will gather them together, because I have redeemed them: and I will multiply them as they were multiplied before.
Simplified
I will whistle to them and they will run to me. I will rescue them, and there will be as many as there were before.
With the sound of the pipe I will get them together; for I have given the price to make them free: and they will be increased as they were increased.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with seven out of eight words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across different traditions.
אֶשְׁרְקָ֥ה לָהֶ֛ם וַאֲקַבְּצֵ֖ם כִּ֣י פְדִיתִ֑ים וְרָב֖וּ כְּמ֥וֹ רָבֽוּ׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Zechariah 10:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שָׁרַק (sharaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hiss, and possibly also to whistle or pipe. It is described as a primitive root, indicating a shrill sound used as a call or in scorn. The entries consistently emphasize its use in making a hissing or whistling noise.
שָׁרַק vb. hiss, perh. also, whistle, pipe
base
H8319 שָׁרַק hiss, perh. also, whistle, pipe
8319 sharaq shaw-rak'
a primitive root; properly, to be shrill, i.e. to whistle or
hiss (as a call or in scorn):--hiss.
שָׁרַק (sha.raq) — to whistle.
1) to hiss, whistle, pipe
1a) (Qal) to hiss (as a signal)
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singularHVqc1cs
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
קָבַץ (qabats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gather or collect. It encompasses various forms, including assembling, being gathered, and taking away. The entries indicate its use in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect nuances in meaning and action.
קָבַץ 127 vb. gather, collect
Qal gather, collect
Niph.
intrans. assemble, gather
pass. be gathered
Pi. 51 gather together
Pu. of land
Hithp. gather together (intrans.), be gathered together
base
H6908 קָבַץ gather, collect
6908 qabats kaw-bats'
a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect:--assemble
(selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up),
heap, resort, X surely, take up.
קָבַץ (qa.vats) — to gather.
1) to gather, assemble
1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to assemble, gather
1b2) to be gathered
1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away
1d) (Pual) to be gathered together
1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Conjunction · verb piel first person common singular · suffixHC/Vpu1cs/Sp3mp
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
פָּדָה (padah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ransom or redeem. It encompasses actions like delivering or rescuing, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being ransomed or allowing someone to be ransomed. The entries highlight its use in contexts of release and preservation, but do not specify any particular verses.
פָּדָה vb. ransom
Qal ransom
Niph. she hath not been at all ransomed (from bondage)
Hiph. he shall let her be ransomed.
base
H6299 פָּדָה ransom
6299 padah paw-daw'
a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release,
preserve:--X at all, deliver, X by any means, ransom, (that
are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, X surely.
פָּדָה (pa.dah) — to ransom.
1) to ransom, redeem, rescue, deliver
1a) (Qal) to ransom
1b) (Niphal) to be ransomed
1c) (Hiphil) to allow one to be ransomed
1d) (Hophal) redeemed
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal perfect first person common singular · suffixHVqp1cs/Sp3mp
רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.
[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great
Qal 59
become many, numerous
be great
grow great (Aramaism)
Pi. 4 make large, increase
Hiph. 162
H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous
. . be great
. grow great (Aramaism)
. make large, increase
. . make much or many
. make great, obj. pers.
H7235b רָבָה shoot
7235 rabah raw-baw'
a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring
in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be
in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,
exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,
X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,
make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more
(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much
(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X
process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
see HEBREW for 07232
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.
1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)
1a2) to be or grow great
1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make much, make many, have many
1c1a) to multiply, increase
1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly
1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly
1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much
Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.
(Qal) to shoot
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common pluralHc/Vqq3cp
כְּמוֹ (kemo) is an adverb and conjunction meaning 'like' or 'as,' often used to draw comparisons or indicate similarity. It can also mean 'when' or 'according to.' The word is derived from a pleonastic form of the prefix כְּ (k-) and is related to the word מוֹ (mo). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)
base
H3644 כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)
3644 kmow kem-o'
or kamow {kaw-mo'}; a form of the prefix "k-", but used
separately (compare 3651); as, thus, so:--according to, (such)
as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto),
thus, when, worth.
see HEBREW for 03651
כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — like.
adv
1) like, as, the like of which
conj
2) when, according as, as it were
כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) — (Geruth) Chimham.
Combined with ge.rut (גֵּרוּת "Geruth" H1628)
Prep — PrepositionHR
az: Conj. and adverb (usually Greek hos hosper, kathos), designating:
(1) Likeness: (a) between nouns (Ge 3:5; Jud 6:5; Php 2:8; Heb 11:27,29); (b) between verbs (Lu 6:36; Joh 5:30; 1Co 10:7); (c) between adjectives (1Co 15:48).
(2) Limitation (with respect to a particular aspect or relation) (1Pe 4:15,16).
רָבָה (rabah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to increase or multiply, encompassing ideas of becoming great, numerous, or abundant. It has various forms, including Qal (to become many), Piel (to make large), and Hiphil (to make much). The word also appears in a context related to shooting in Genesis 21:20. There is a noted Aramaic equivalent, רְבָה.
[רָבָה] 225 vb. be, or become, much, many, great
Qal 59
become many, numerous
be great
grow great (Aramaism)
Pi. 4 make large, increase
Hiph. 162
H7235a רָבָה be, or become, much, many, great .. become many, numerous
. . be great
. grow great (Aramaism)
. make large, increase
. . make much or many
. make great, obj. pers.
H7235b רָבָה shoot
7235 rabah raw-baw'
a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring
in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be
in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel,
exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly,
X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have,
make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more
(in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much
(greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X
process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
see HEBREW for 07232
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to multiply.
1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things)
1a2) to be or grow great
1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make much, make many, have many
1c1a) to multiply, increase
1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly
1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly
1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much
Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
רָבָה (ra.vah) — to shoot.
(Qal) to shoot
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp