רֶבַע (re.va)
re.va
to lie down
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb reba means to lie down or stretch out one’s body in a state of rest. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within Psalm 6:6, where the psalmist describes his physical exhaustion as he weeps night after night.
This single occurrence highlights a vivid contrast between inner turmoil and outward stillness. While the psalmist is emotionally overwhelmed by sorrow, his body is forced into a passive, prone position. The word captures the heaviness of fatigue, suggesting that even in distress, the physical form seeks or is compelled to rest.
Translators typically render this verb simply as "lie down," preserving its straightforward physical sense. In this context, it underscores the tangible toll of grief on the human frame, showing how emotional pain can manifest as bodily weariness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word reba describes the simple act of lying down, yet in Psalm 139:3 it carries a profound weight of intimacy. When David writes that God knows his lying down, he is not speaking of a casual rest but of the total vulnerability of being prone and exposed. In our daily lives, we often feel most alone when we are tired or resting, stripped of our defenses and public personas. This verse reminds us that God is present in those quiet, private moments just as He is in our busiest activities.
There is a deep comfort in knowing that our physical exhaustion does not hide us from the Creator. Whether you are lying down in peace or in sorrow, your posture before Him is known and understood. This awareness can bring a sense of safety, knowing that no part of your life, even your most passive hours, is outside His attentive care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ lying down/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/רִבְעִ֣/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 139:3
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
This verse highlights God's intimate knowledge of the psalmist's physical posture, showing that divine awareness extends to our most private and vulnerable moments of rest.