רַבָּה (rab.bah)
rab.bah
Rabbah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun rabbah simply means "great" or "large," but in Scripture it functions primarily as a proper name for the capital city of the Ammonites. Located east of the Jordan River, this urban center is frequently identified by its descriptive title rather than a unique personal name, appearing in texts such as Joshua 13:25 and II Samuel 11:1.
Its usage highlights the political significance of Ammonite territory during the biblical period. The city is notably mentioned in the narrative of David’s conflict with Ammon (II Samuel 11–12) and later in prophetic judgments against the nation (Jeremiah 49:2-3). By referring to the capital as "the great [city]," the text emphasizes its status as the primary seat of power for the region.
Translators typically retain the Hebrew term Rabbah or render it as "Rabbath" to preserve this specific geographic identity. The word itself does not carry theological weight beyond indicating size or importance; its presence in the biblical record serves mainly to locate historical events and prophetic declarations within a concrete, recognizable setting for ancient readers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Rabbah was not just a large city; it was the seat of power for the Ammonites, standing as a symbol of earthly strength and political stability. In the biblical narrative, this 'great' city often represents human confidence in military might and strategic advantage. When kings went out to war, they targeted Rabbah because capturing it meant securing dominance over the region.
For believers, these accounts serve as a reminder that no amount of fortification or royal power can withstand divine sovereignty. The fall of such a prominent center shows that human strength is temporary. We find comfort in knowing that God’s plans are not hindered by the size or strength of opposing forces, and His purposes prevail regardless of earthly circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Rabbah6×
- in/ Rabbah of1×
- from/ Rabbah of1×
- and/ <the>/ Rabbah1×
- against/ Rabbah of1×
- against/ Rabbah1×
- Rabbah/ towards1×
- Rabbah of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַבָּ֔ה2×
- בְּ/רַבַּ֖ת2×
- רַבָּה֒1×
- רַבָּֽה\׃1×
- רַבָּ֖ה1×
- רַבָּ֑תָ/ה1×
- רַבָּ֑ה1×
- רַבַּ֨ת1×
- מֵ/רַבַּ֣ת1×
- וְ/הָֽ/רַבָּ֑ה1×
- בְ/רַבָּ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 11:1
At the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
This verse marks the beginning of David’s conflict with Ammon, highlighting Rabbah as the primary military objective that drew Israel's army away from Jerusalem.
-
Jeremiah 49:2
Therefore behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and it will become a desolate heap, and her daughters will be burned with fire; then Israel will possess those who possessed him,” says Yahweh.
Here the word appears in a prophetic judgment, showing that even the 'great' city would become a desolate heap under God’s authority.
-
Amos 1:14
But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it will devour its palaces, with shouting in the day of battle, with a storm in the day of the whirlwind;
The prophet uses Rabbah to illustrate how God will consume the palaces of the powerful with fire, emphasizing the fragility of human pride.