רָבַד (ra.vad)
ra.vad
to spread
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rabad means to spread out or deck with something. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Proverbs 7:16. In this context, it describes the bedchamber being decorated with colorful coverings and fabrics.
Its usage is quite specific to adorning a space. The word conveys the action of laying out materials to create a pleasant or inviting atmosphere. This single instance highlights how language can capture the detail of domestic life in wisdom literature.
Because it occurs so rarely, rabad does not carry a wide range of theological meanings across Scripture. Instead, it serves as a precise descriptor for physical decoration. Translators typically render it as "spread" or "decked," keeping the focus on the tangible act of arranging textiles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb rabad appears just once in the Old Testament, found in Proverbs 7:16. It describes spreading out carpets and fine fabrics to decorate a bedchamber. This single occurrence gives us a clear picture of domestic life in ancient wisdom literature, focusing on the tangible act of arranging textiles to create an inviting atmosphere.
While this word does not carry a wide range of theological meanings across Scripture, it reminds us that God cares about the details of our daily lives. The careful preparation of a home reflects a heart that values beauty and comfort. We see here how language can capture the simple, yet meaningful, acts of making a space pleasant for those we love.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the richness of biblical imagery. It shows that even rare words have a purpose, highlighting specific aspects of human experience. May you find peace in knowing that God sees and values the care you put into your own home and relationships.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I have spread1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָבַ֣דְתִּי1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 7:16
I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
This is the only occurrence of rabad in the Old Testament, where it specifically describes spreading carpets to decorate a bedchamber.