רִיב (riv)
riv
strife
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 54 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun riv refers to a contest, dispute, or legal case. It appears fifty-four times in Scripture, often describing personal quarrels or formal lawsuits. In Genesis 13:7, Abraham and Lot avoid a riv over land because their herdsmen were already in conflict. The word covers both heated arguments and structured legal proceedings where parties present their case.
Its root conveys the idea of contention or striving. Translators render it as strife, controversy, cause, or suit depending on context. In Proverbs 17:14, starting a riv is compared to releasing floodwaters, highlighting its destructive potential in relationships. Conversely, in legal settings like Deuteronomy 19:17, it denotes the formal process of adjudication between disputing parties.
The term carries theological weight when applied to God’s relationship with Israel. Prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah use riv to describe God pleading His case against His people for covenant unfaithfulness. This usage frames divine judgment not merely as punishment but as a legal confrontation where truth is established and justice is pursued through the mechanism of dispute.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word riv describes a dispute, whether it is a heated argument between neighbors or a formal legal case in court. In Genesis 13:7, Abraham and Lot faced such strife over land, yet they chose peace to avoid further conflict. This shows that while disputes are part of life, how we handle them reveals our character.
When we feel wronged, it is natural to want justice. The Psalms often ask God to plead our cause, trusting Him to set things right when human systems fail. Instead of seeking revenge, we can bring our concerns to the Lord, knowing He sees the truth and cares about fairness.
This word reminds us that justice matters to God. Whether in personal relationships or legal matters, He desires integrity. By leaving room for divine judgment and pursuing peace where possible, we reflect His wisdom and find rest in His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 54 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strife6×
- case/ my6×
- a case at law5×
- in/ case at law/ his3×
- case/ your3×
- case/ their3×
- a dispute3×
- the/ dispute2×
- [the] case of2×
- strife/ your1×
- quarreling1×
- own case/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִ֥יב3×
- רִ֤יב3×
- רִיבָ֑/ם2×
- רִיבִֽ/י\׃\ \ס2×
- רִיב֩2×
- רִֽיב\׃\ \פ2×
- רִֽיב\׃2×
- רִ֗יב2×
- רִיבֹ֖ת1×
- רִיבָ֣/ם1×
- רִיבֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- רִיבֶ֑/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 13:7
There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time.
This verse shows the word used for personal conflict between relatives, highlighting the need for peaceful resolution.
-
Psalms 43:1
Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
Here the psalmist asks God to plead his cause against an ungodly nation, showing trust in divine justice.
-
Deuteronomy 19:17
then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;
The term describes a formal legal proceeding where both parties stand before judges to establish the truth.