רֵ֫בֶץ (re.vets)
re.vets
rest
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun rebets refers to a place of rest or a spot where one lies down. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes a physical location used for sleeping or taking refuge, rather than an abstract state of peace. This concrete meaning grounds the word in daily life, pointing to a specific area designated for relaxation or shelter.
Although it appears only four times in Scripture, its usage in Isaiah and Jeremiah highlights its role as a dwelling place. For instance, in Isaiah 32:18, the text speaks of the people dwelling securely in their rebets, linking the concept of rest to stability and safety within a community. Similarly, Proverbs uses the term to describe the quiet comfort found in one’s home.
The word emphasizes the tangible aspect of finding a place to settle. It is not merely about feeling calm but about having a defined space where one can lay down and be at ease. This distinction separates it from other Hebrew words for rest that focus more on cessation of work or spiritual tranquility, making rebets uniquely tied to the physical environment of repose.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word rebets points to a tangible place of safety—a specific spot where one can lay down and be at ease. It is not just an abstract feeling of peace, but a concrete reality of shelter and stability. In Isaiah 32:18, the people are described as dwelling securely in their resting places, highlighting how this concept is tied to community safety and physical well-being.
When life feels chaotic or uncertain, we often long for that same sense of grounded security. This word reminds us that God cares about our need for a safe haven. It invites us to trust in His provision of shelter, whether in a home, a relationship, or the spiritual refuge found in Him. Finding rest is not merely about stopping work; it is about knowing where you belong and are protected.
May you find your true resting place in the Lord, who offers peace that surpasses understanding. Let this truth comfort you as you seek stability in a shifting world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- resting place/ their1×
- resting place/ its1×
- resting place/ his1×
- <into>/ a resting place of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִבְצָֽ/ם\׃1×
- רִבְצָ֔/הּ1×
- רִבְצ/וֹ\׃1×
- לְ/רֵ֣בֶץ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 50:6
My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place.
Here the word highlights the tragedy of displacement, as God's people have forgotten the physical and spiritual places of safety He provided.
-
Proverbs 24:15
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
The command not to destroy the righteous man's resting place underscores the value of protecting others' peace and security.