a primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor); belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).
Transliteration:nâbaʻ
Pronunciation:naw-bah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H5042 (נָבַע, nâbaʻ) is a primitive verb whose core meaning is "to gush forth" or "to well up." This primary sense implies a spontaneous, often abundant or forceful, emission from an internal source, much like water from a spring. From this literal foundation, the word develops significant figurative extensions:
* **Literal Outflow:** Refers to the physical act of liquids or substances overflowing or being poured out, indicating abundance or saturation.
* **Verbal Utterance:** Most commonly, nâbaʻ is used metaphorically to describe the "gushing forth" of words or speech from the mouth, which is seen as an overflow of the heart or mind. This can encompass both positive expressions (praise, wisdom, knowledge) and negative ones (evil, folly, harshness).
* **Emission of Odor:** In a specific, less frequent usage, it can denote the emission of an unpleasant odor, extending the idea of an internal release.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H5042 in the Hebrew Bible consistently reflect its core meaning of "outflow," primarily applied to speech or abundance.
* **Proverbs 1:23**: "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will **pour out** my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." Here, Wisdom personified uses nâbaʻ to describe her generous and abundant disclosure of divine truth and guidance. It signifies a lavish, unreserved imparting.
* **Proverbs 15:28**: "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked **poureth out** evil things." This verse vividly contrasts the considered speech of the righteous with the unrestrained, spontaneous emission of evil from the wicked, highlighting the heart as the source of verbal expression.
* **Proverbs 18:4**: "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a **flowing** brook." While "flowing" is the translation, the underlying sense is that wisdom *gushes forth* or *wells up* like a brook, indicating its deep and inexhaustible nature.
* **Psalm 19:2**: "Day unto day **uttereth** speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." The heavens, through their continuous existence, are depicted as constantly "gushing forth" or "pouring out" the message of God's glory and knowledge, a silent yet profound testimony.
* **Psalm 59:7**: "Behold, they **belch out** with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?" This usage is strongly negative, portraying the wicked's speech as uncontrolled, violent, and repulsive, akin to a foul emission.
* **Psalm 78:2**: "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will **utter** dark sayings of old." The psalmist declares his intention to "pour forth" or "disclose" ancient wisdom and profound truths, suggesting a deliberate yet abundant release of knowledge.
* **Psalm 119:171**: "My lips shall **utter** praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes." Here, nâbaʻ describes praise as a spontaneous and abundant overflow from lips that have been instructed in God's law, indicating heartfelt worship.
* **Ezekiel 7:11**: "Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of their wailing: neither shall there be wringing of hands." In this difficult verse, nâbaʻ is often understood to refer to the "abundance" or "overflow" of their wealth or multitude, which will be utterly consumed by judgment. It signifies the full measure or consequence of their wickedness "gushing forth."
* **Joel 3:13 (4:13 MT)**: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats **overflow**; for their wickedness is great." This is a literal use, depicting the vats overflowing with wine, symbolizing the ripeness of the nations for judgment, their wickedness having reached its full, "overflowing" measure.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H5042 connects it to several key concepts:
* **Source and Flow:** The idea of something originating from an internal source and flowing outward connects to words like `{{H4726}}` (ma'yan, "spring" or "fountain") and `{{H5097}}` (nahar, "river"), emphasizing the continuous and abundant nature of the emission.
* **Speech and Utterance:** The frequent application to verbal expression links nâbaʻ to terms for speaking, declaring, and the mouth itself. Examples include `{{H1696}}` (davar, "to speak" or "word"), `{{H5608}}` (sapar, "to recount" or "declare"), and `{{H6310}}` (peh, "mouth"), highlighting the mouth as the conduit for the heart's overflow.
* **Heart and Inner Being:** The understanding that speech "gushes forth" from an internal source implicitly points to the "heart" (`{{H3820}}`, lev/levav) as the wellspring of one's words, whether good or evil.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5042 lies in its powerful depiction of **manifestation from an internal source**, particularly concerning divine and human communication.
* **Divine Abundance and Revelation:** When applied to God or His wisdom (e.g., Proverbs 1:23, Psalm 19:2), nâbaʻ underscores the **generous, unceasing, and abundant nature of divine self-disclosure**. God's spirit and wisdom are not parceled out grudgingly but "gush forth" freely, making known His truth and glory through creation and direct revelation.
* **The Heart's Overflow in Human Speech:** Perhaps its most profound theological implication for humanity is the principle that **speech is an overflow of the heart**. Proverbs 15:28 and Psalm 59:7 starkly illustrate that what is truly within a person—whether righteousness or wickedness—will inevitably "gush forth" through their words. This emphasizes the critical importance of the inner life and the necessity of a transformed heart, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (cf. Matthew 12:34).
* **Authentic Worship and Praise:** When lips "utter praise" (Psalm 119:171), it signifies that true worship is not merely ritualistic but a spontaneous, abundant, and heartfelt outpouring of adoration, stemming from a soul saturated with God's statutes.
* **Judgment as Fullness of Evil:** In contexts of judgment (Ezekiel 7:11, Joel 3:13), nâbaʻ conveys that wickedness can reach a point of "overflowing" or "fullness," at which time divine judgment is unleashed as a necessary consequence. This portrays God's justice responding to the complete measure of human sin.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H5042 (נָבַע, nâbaʻ) is a dynamic term signifying an **unrestrained, often spontaneous, outflow or emission from an internal source**. While literally describing the gushing of water or the overflowing of vats, its most prominent biblical usage is metaphorical, depicting the **abundant utterance of speech**. This word highlights the profound connection between one's inner being and outward expression: divine wisdom "gushes forth" in revelation, and human words, whether praise or evil, inevitably "pour out" from the heart. Nâbaʻ thus serves as a powerful reminder that what resides within will ultimately manifest externally, underscoring the spiritual significance of both divine communication and human verbal conduct.
TRV