נְבוֹ (ne.vo)
ne.vo
Nebo; (Mount) Nebo
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Nebo primarily designates geographical locations in the Hebrew Bible, most notably the mountain in Moab from which Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death (Deuteronomy 32:49; 34:1). The name itself carries the meaning "prophet," a detail that adds a layer of irony to the narrative, as Moses is denied entry into the land he was destined to lead the people toward.
Beyond these geographical references, Nebo appears in Isaiah 46:1 as the name of a Babylonian deity. In this context, the word refers to a god associated with learning and letters, comparable to the Greek Hermes or Egyptian Thoth. The prophet uses this reference to contrast the powerlessness of foreign idols against the sovereignty of Yahweh, highlighting that even the gods of the empire holding Israel captive are subject to judgment.
The sources also identify Nebo as a city in Judah and later as the hometown of some exiles who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:29; Nehemiah 7:33). This usage distinguishes the place name from the mountain or the deity, showing how the same term functioned across different regions and historical periods within the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nebo appears in Scripture as a mountain, a city, and even a foreign god, yet it serves as a quiet reminder of God’s sovereignty over history and geography. When Moses climbed Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land, he saw what he would not enter, trusting that God’s promises remained secure even when his own journey ended there. This moment invites us to release our grip on outcomes we cannot control, resting in the knowledge that God sees the whole picture.
Later, Isaiah and Jeremiah use Nebo to illustrate the emptiness of idols compared to the living God. Whether referring to a place or a deity, the word highlights that human plans and false gods are temporary, while Yahweh endures. We can find comfort in this contrast: our hope does not rest on shifting circumstances or our own achievements, but on the faithful character of God who guides us through every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nebo12×
- and/ Nebo1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְב֔וֹ3×
- נְב֞וֹ2×
- נְב֖וֹ2×
- נְבוֹ֙1×
- נְבֽוֹ\׃1×
- נְב֛וֹ1×
- נְב֗וֹ1×
- נְב֑וֹ1×
- וּ/נְב֖וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 34:1
Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead to Dan,
This verse marks the culmination of Moses’ leadership as he views the land from Nebo, showing that God’s promises are fulfilled even when individual journeys end.
-
Isaiah 46:1
Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.
Here Nebo is personified as a burdened idol, contrasting the weakness of false gods with the sustaining power of Yahweh who carries His people.
-
Jeremiah 48:1
Of Moab. Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo! For it is laid waste. Kiriathaim is disappointed. It is taken. Misgab is put to shame and broken down.
The prophecy against Nebo demonstrates that no location or nation is beyond God’s judgment, affirming His authority over all earthly powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nebo mean in the Bible?
Why is Nebo mentioned in Isaiah 46?
Who were the children of Nebo?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 7 books)
Numbers 3 verses
“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon,
Numbers 32:38Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built.
Numbers 33:47They traveled from Almon Diblathaim, and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.