רְבָה (re.vah)
re.vah
to grow great
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rebah means to grow great, encompassing ideas of increasing in size, length, or stature. In its basic form, it describes something becoming tall and large, or simply increasing in magnitude. This straightforward sense applies to physical growth as well as abstract expansion.
While the word appears frequently in other contexts across the Old Testament, its occurrence in Daniel is notable for highlighting divine sovereignty. The sources indicate that rebah is used to describe entities growing great under God’s permission or judgment, reinforcing the theme that human power is subject to higher authority.
The verb also has a derived form meaning to make great, shifting the focus from natural growth to intentional enlargement. This dual usage allows the text to contrast self-exaltation with the greatness granted by God, a central tension in Daniel’s narrative of kingdoms rising and falling.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rebah speaks to the reality that true greatness is not self-generated but received. In Daniel 2:48, we see King Nebuchadnezzar elevating Daniel, granting him authority and gifts. This moment highlights a profound spiritual truth: human systems may confer status, but God ultimately determines where influence resides.
When you feel overlooked or undervalued in your workplace or community, this passage offers comfort. Your worth does not depend on the recognition of earthly rulers. Instead, it rests in the hands of the Sovereign who raises up and sets down leaders according to His purpose. Trusting in this divine order allows us to serve faithfully without needing to force our own advancement.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he made great1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַבִּ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:48
Then the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Babylon and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.
This verse demonstrates the word by showing how earthly authority is used to elevate Daniel, reflecting God's underlying control over political structures.