רֹב (rov)
rov
abundance
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 117 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rov signifies a large quantity, whether referring to people, resources, or abstract qualities like power. It appears frequently in Chronicles and Proverbs to describe the sheer scale of Solomon’s wealth or the size of armies. The word captures the idea of "muchness" or "greatness," serving as a concrete measure of abundance rather than a vague notion of plenty.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context, ranging from a literal multitude of individuals to the magnitude of an attribute. For instance, Psalm 51:3 uses it to describe the greatness of God’s mercy, while passages like Joshua 9:13 apply it to the length of a journey. This flexibility allows the term to bridge the gap between numerical count and qualitative intensity.
Etymologically, rov derives from the verb rav, which means to be numerous or to increase. This root connection emphasizes growth and expansion. Translators often render it as "many," "much," or "abundance," but the underlying sense remains consistent: a state of being filled to capacity, whether that filling consists of soldiers, silver, or divine favor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rov describes a state of being filled to capacity, whether that filling consists of people, resources, or divine favor. It is not merely a vague sense of plenty but a concrete measure of abundance. When Scripture speaks of God’s blessing, it often uses this term to show that His provision exceeds our ability to count or contain it.
In Psalm 51:3, David uses rov to describe the greatness of God’s mercy. This shifts the focus from material wealth to spiritual reality. It reminds us that God’s compassion is not limited by human standards but overflows with a magnitude we can barely grasp. This abundance invites us to rest in the certainty that His grace is sufficient for every need.
Whether you are looking at the sheer scale of Solomon’s temple or the multitude of Israel’s people, rov points to a God who delights in giving generously. It encourages us to see our lives not as empty vessels but as spaces where His abundant goodness can dwell and expand.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 117 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ abundance32×
- for/ multitude13×
- and/ abundance of5×
- from/ multitude4×
- for/ abundance4×
- according to/ [the] greatness of4×
- [the] greatness of4×
- with/ [the] abundance of3×
- to/ multitude3×
- in/ [the] greatness of3×
- and/ [the] multitude of3×
- with/ [the] greatness of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/רֹֽב\׃11×
- לָ/רֹ֑ב10×
- לָ/רֹ֖ב9×
- בְּ/רֹ֣ב8×
- רֹ֣ב5×
- לָ/רֹ֔ב5×
- בְּ/רֹ֥ב5×
- מֵ/רֹֽב\׃4×
- מֵ/רֹ֥ב4×
- לָ/רֹ֥ב4×
- כְּ/רֹ֣ב3×
- וְ/רֹ֥ב3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 16:10
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
The angel promises Hagar that her offspring will be so numerous they cannot be counted, highlighting divine power to multiply life beyond natural limits.
-
I Kings 8:5
King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.
This verse captures the sheer scale of worship at the temple dedication, where sacrifices were so numerous they could not be counted or numbered.
-
Deuteronomy 1:10
Yahweh your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.
Moses reminds Israel that God has multiplied them to be as numerous as the stars, linking their physical abundance directly to His covenant faithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word rov mean?
How is rov different from other words for many?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (117 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
Genesis 27:28God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine.
Genesis 30:30For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I…
Genesis 48:16the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my…