וָהֵב (va.hev)
va.hev
Waheb
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Vaheb refers to a specific location in the territory of Moab, mentioned only once in the Hebrew Bible at Numbers 21:14. The text identifies it as part of the "Book of the Wars of the Lord," an ancient source now lost, which recorded Israel’s military campaigns during their wilderness journey.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted as a phrase meaning "now, come on: and do thou give." This suggests that the place name may have originated from a spoken declaration or a commemorative statement made during the conquest. Its inclusion in Scripture highlights how specific geographic details were preserved to document the historical progression of the Israelite tribes.
Because this is the sole occurrence of the word, its significance lies entirely in its context as a marker of territorial advance. It serves as a concrete reminder of the detailed records kept by ancient writers, linking physical locations to the narrative of divine provision and conquest in the Old Testament.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about Vaheb in Numbers 21:14, it might seem like a minor detail lost in the wilderness journey. Yet this single mention reminds us that God cares about the specifics of our path. The text references an ancient record called the Book of the Wars of the Lord, showing that Israel’s history was carefully documented.
This place name, possibly meaning "now come on," marks a moment of advance and divine provision. It encourages us to trust that every step in our spiritual journey is seen and recorded. Even when the way forward feels unclear, we can rest in the knowledge that God guides our progress with purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Waheb1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וָהֵ֣ב1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:14
Therefore it is said in The Book of the Wars of Yahweh, “Vaheb in Suphah, the valleys of the Arnon,
This verse uniquely identifies Vaheb as part of an ancient war record, highlighting how specific locations were preserved to document Israel's territorial advance.