רָבָה
ra.vah
to multiply
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# רָבָה (Ravah): The Hebrew Verb "To Multiply" The Hebrew verb רָבָה (ravah) carries the fundamental meaning of "to multiply" and appears 226 times throughout the biblical text, making it a relatively frequent word in Scripture. This high frequency suggests that concepts of increase, growth, and multiplication held considerable importance in Hebrew thought and expression. The verb encompasses the notion of something becoming greater in quantity or number—whether applied to people, possessions, or abstract concepts. The verb's broad applicability across different contexts would have allowed biblical writers to describe various forms of increase and expansion. With over two centuries of occurrences, ravah functions as a core vocabulary item for expressing growth in almost any domain where quantity or magnitude could expand. The word's persistence throughout the biblical corpus indicates it was essential for communicating ideas central to the community's understanding of blessing, prosperity, and divine provision. Its semantic range—focused on the single concept of multiplication—makes it a straightforward but semantically robust term in the Hebrew lexicon.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
226 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Judah said, “The strength of the bearers of burdens is fading, and there is much rubble; so that we are not able to build the wall.”
2 Chronicles 24:27Now concerning his sons, the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of God’s house, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 25:9Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.”
2 Chronicles 31:5As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly.
2 Chronicles 32:27Hezekiah had exceedingly much riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of valuable vessels;
2 Chronicles 33:6He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger.
2 Chronicles 33:23He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.
2 Chronicles 36:14Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted Yahweh’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem.
Ezra 9:6and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
Ezra 10:1Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly.
Ezra 10:13But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand outside. This is not a work of one day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.
Nehemiah 2:2The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” Then I was very much afraid.
Nehemiah 4:1But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
Nehemiah 4:19I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
Nehemiah 5:18Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
Nehemiah 6:17Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
Nehemiah 9:23You also multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
Nehemiah 9:37It yields much increase to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. Also they have power over our bodies and over our livestock, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Job 9:17For he breaks me with a storm, and multiplies my wounds without cause.
Job 10:17You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your indignation on me. Changes and warfare are with me.
Job 27:14If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword. His offspring will not be satisfied with bread.
Job 29:18Then I said, ‘I will die in my own house, I will count my days as the sand.
Job 33:12“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
Job 34:37For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
Job 39:4Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go out, and don’t return again.
Job 41:3Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you?
Psalms 16:4Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.
Psalms 18:35You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.
Psalms 44:12You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
Psalms 49:16Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
Psalms 51:2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
Psalms 71:21Increase my honor and comfort me again.
Psalms 78:38But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
Psalms 107:38He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.
Psalms 130:7Israel, hope in Yahweh, for there is loving kindness with Yahweh. Abundant redemption is with him.
Proverbs 4:10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
Proverbs 6:35He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
Proverbs 9:11For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
Proverbs 13:11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Proverbs 22:16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
Proverbs 25:27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
Proverbs 28:8He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
Proverbs 28:28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
Proverbs 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Proverbs 29:16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
Proverbs 29:16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
Ecclesiastes 2:7I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.
Ecclesiastes 5:7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.
Ecclesiastes 5:11When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?