רִבּוֹ

a myriad, i.e. indefinitely, large number

Definition

The Hebrew noun רִבּוֹ (ribbôw) fundamentally denotes a 'myriad' or 'ten thousand,' representing a vast, indefinite number used to convey magnitude or an overwhelming quantity. In its primary sense, it functions as a specific numeral, often in military or census contexts, as seen in the detailed counts of the returning exiles in Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66. However, it also carries a poetic and hyperbolic sense of an innumerable multitude, most famously in the description of God's heavenly chariots as 'myriads upon myriads' in Psalm 68:17. In 1 Chronicles 29:7, it is used in the context of lavish giving, quantifying gold and silver to emphasize the people's extraordinary generosity for the temple.

Biblical Usage

This word appears nine times, primarily in post-exilic historical books (Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah) detailing census figures and contributions for the temple, where it specifies exact, large numbers (e.g., 'forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty' in Ezra 2:64). Its usage shifts in poetic and prophetic texts. In Psalm 68:17, it is used in a parallel, repetitive structure ('ribbothayim, alfei shinan') to poetically describe the infinite number of God's heavenly host. In Daniel 11:12, it appears in a prophetic vision concerning the size of a defeated army, retaining its numerical sense but within a symbolic context.

Etymology

רִבּוֹ derives from the root רָבַב (rābab, H7231), meaning 'to be or become many, to multiply.' This root conveys the core idea of increase and abundance. The noun form רִבּוֹ specifically denotes the product or result of that multiplication—a large, rounded number. It is closely related to רְבָבָה (revavah, H7233), another word for 'ten thousand' or 'myriad,' showing the language's capacity for expressing vast quantities from this common root.

Semantic Range

רִבּוֹ is theologically significant as it bridges the concrete and the transcendent. In historical narratives, it quantifies God's faithfulness in preserving and restoring His people, as seen in the post-exilic population counts. In poetry and prophecy, it moves beyond mere counting to describe the immeasurable nature of God's power and sovereignty. The 'myriads' of chariots in Psalm 68:17 depict a heavenly army beyond human comprehension, emphasizing God's supreme majesty and the limitless resources at His command. Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting how biblical writers used specific numbers to point toward infinite, divine realities.

In the ancient Near East, large, round numbers like 'ten thousand' (a myriad) were often used to express a complete or overwhelming force, especially in military contexts (e.g., Daniel 11:12). For ancient Israelites, such a number represented the peak of military or communal organization—the largest practical unit for counting an army or a population. This differs from a modern statistical mindset; the number could convey symbolic completeness and awe as much as, or more than, a precise count. The lavish use of the term in 1 Chronicles 29:7 to quantify temple gifts also reflects a cultural value of quantifying generosity to honor God.

רְבָבָה (revavah, H7233) — A near synonym also meaning 'ten thousand' or 'myriad,' often used in poetic parallelism. אֶלֶף (eleph, H505) — Means 'thousand,' a smaller base unit of large numbering; often paired with רִבּוֹ (as in Psalm 68:17) to express an immense, uncountable total. חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — Can mean 'army, force, wealth'; overlaps in contexts of military strength and abundant resources, but is a broader term not specifically numerical.

Word Details

Scripture References