רְבִיבִים (ra.viv)
ra.viv
shower
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rebitim refers to copious or heavy showers that bring fertility to the land. It appears in only four verses, yet its imagery is potent, describing rain that saturates the earth rather than a light drizzle. In Deuteronomy 32:2 and Psalm 72:6, the word evokes life-giving moisture essential for growth, highlighting nature’s dependence on divine provision.
Jeremiah 14:22 offers a striking figurative use, where the people ask if God will send rebitim like the spring rains. Here, the term extends beyond meteorology to represent prophetic influence and spiritual refreshment. The sources note this metaphorical link, suggesting that just as heavy rain nourishes crops, true prophecy brings vitality to the soul.
This word underscores a biblical theme: God’s blessing is often depicted as abundant rainfall. By using rebitim, the text emphasizes not just presence but potency. It reminds readers that spiritual fruitfulness requires more than occasional attention; it demands the steady, enriching flow of divine grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rebitim describes heavy, life-giving showers that saturate the earth. It is not a light drizzle but a significant downpour that brings fertility to dry ground. This imagery reminds us that God’s provision is often abundant and necessary for growth.
In Scripture, this rain represents more than weather; it symbolizes divine blessing and spiritual refreshment. Just as crops need steady moisture to flourish, our souls benefit from the consistent flow of grace. We can trust that God provides what we need to thrive in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- copious showers2×
- like/ copious showers1×
- and/ like/ copious showers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רְבִבִ֔ים1×
- רְבִבִ֑ים1×
- כִּ֝/רְבִיבִ֗ים1×
- וְ/כִ/רְבִיבִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.
Moses compares his teaching to these showers, showing how divine instruction nourishes the heart like rain on tender grass.
-
Psalms 72:6
He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.
The psalmist uses this word to describe the king’s justice, which brings life and renewal to the land just as seasonal rains do.
-
Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the sky give showers? Aren’t you he, Yahweh our God? Therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these things.
The people acknowledge that only God can send these essential showers, linking physical rain directly to His power and faithfulness.