English · KJV
H5042

נָבַע

nâbaʻ /naw-bah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor)
KJV usagebelch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâbaʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâbaʻ, represented by H5042, is a primitive root meaning to gush forth. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends from a literal gushing, like a spring, to the figurative utterance of words, whether good or bad, and can even describe the emission of a foul odor.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H5042 describes a dynamic outpouring. It is used positively to depict the constant declaration of knowledge by creation, where "Day unto day uttereth speech" Psalms 19:2. It also signifies an outpouring of wisdom, as the "wellspring of wisdom" is compared to a flowing brook Proverbs 18:4. Conversely, the word can describe a negative gushing forth. The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things Proverbs 15:28, and fools poureth out foolishness Proverbs 15:2. In a unique physical sense, it describes how dead flies cause ointment to send forth a stinking savour Ecclesiastes 10:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of what is being poured out:

  • H6310 peh (mouth): The mouth is frequently identified as the source from which words are poured out, whether from the wicked who poureth out evil Proverbs 15:28 or in parables Psalms 78:2.
  • H1697 dâbâr (a word): This term for a word or matter is what is often poured forth. Wisdom's reproof leads to the promise, "I will make known my words unto you" Proverbs 1:23.
  • H4726 mâqôwr (fountain, wellspring): This word connects nâbaʻ to its literal sense of a source. It is used metaphorically when the wellspring of wisdom is described as a flowing brook Proverbs 18:4.
  • H8416 tᵉhillâh (praise): The act of uttering is directly linked to worship. The psalmist resolves that his "lips shall utter praise" once God has taught him His statutes Psalms 119:171.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5042 is significant in its portrayal of speech and its source.

  • The Source of Words: The word highlights that speech is an outpouring from a source. The mouth of the righteous pours forth what is studied, while the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil and foolishness (Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 15:2).
  • Divine Revelation and Wisdom: The word is used to describe the communication of divine truth. Creation itself continuously uttereth speech, showing knowledge Psalms 19:2. Wisdom also promises to pour out her spirit and make her words known to those who turn at her reproof Proverbs 1:23.
  • The Power of Testimony: The act of "abundantly uttering" is connected to joyful testimony and praise. Believers are to abundantly utter the memory of God's great goodness and sing of His righteousness Psalms 145:7, suggesting a profuse and unrestrained proclamation.

Summary

In summary, H5042 nâbaʻ is a dynamic verb that illustrates the concept of gushing forth. It is not limited to a single context, describing everything from the constant speech of creation Psalms 19:2 to the corrupt words of the wicked Proverbs 15:28 and the joyful praise of the righteous Psalms 145:7. The word carries the core idea that what is inside—be it wisdom, folly, or praise—will inevitably pour out, serving as a powerful reminder of the connection between the heart and the mouth.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יַבִּיעַ
  • יַבִּיעוּ
  • אַבִּיעָה
  • תַּבַּעְנָה
  • נֹבֵעַ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6310 פֶּה from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge H1697 דָּבָר from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, H4726 מָקוֹר or מָקֹר; from קוּר; properly, something dug, i.e. a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of te H8416 תְּהִלָּה from הָלַל; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn; praise.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses); never once in the other 36.

6
Psalms
4
Proverbs
1
Ecclesiastes

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.