רִיבַי (ri.vay)
ri.vay
Ribai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ribai appears in the genealogical records of the United Monarchy, specifically identifying a man from the tribe of Benjamin. He is mentioned twice in the Hebrew Bible, first as the father of Ittai in 2 Samuel 23:29 and again in 1 Chronicles 11:31. These brief references place him within the lineage of David’s loyal supporters, anchoring his identity to a specific historical moment rather than a narrative role.
Etymologically, Ribai is understood to mean "pleader with Jehovah." This construction suggests a personal devotion or a family tradition of advocating before God, though the text itself does not elaborate on any specific actions taken by Ribai. His significance lies entirely in his connection to Ittai, who later becomes a notable figure for his steadfast loyalty to David during Absalom’s rebellion.
As a proper noun occurring only twice, Ribai serves as a structural link in the biblical record rather than a subject of theological exposition. The sources treat him strictly as an ancestor in these lists, highlighting how ordinary names preserve the memory of families who supported Israel’s early kingship without further comment on their individual lives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ribai appears in two brief genealogical lists within the Hebrew Bible, identifying a man from the tribe of Benjamin who lived during the time of King David. His name is understood to mean "pleader with Jehovah," suggesting a family tradition of advocating before God. Although the text offers no narrative details about his personal life or deeds, his inclusion in these records preserves the memory of ordinary families who supported Israel’s early leadership.
His primary significance lies in his connection to his son, Ittai, who later becomes known for his steadfast loyalty to David during Absalom’s rebellion. This simple lineage reminds us that faithfulness often runs through generations, even when individual stories are not fully recorded. The preservation of such names highlights how God values the quiet devotion of those who stand with His people, anchoring their identity in a specific historical moment rather than seeking public acclaim.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ribai2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִיבַ֗י1×
- רִיבַ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 23:29
Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
This verse identifies Ribai as the father of Ittai, establishing the family line that would later produce a key loyalist to King David.
-
I Chronicles 11:31
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
The parallel account in Chronicles confirms Ribai’s role as an ancestor within the tribe of Benjamin, reinforcing the historical continuity of David’s supporters.