Hebrew · H5034 · unreviewed

נָבֵל

To wilt ; generally, to fall away, fail , faint ; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked ; causatively, to despise , disgrace

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

נָבֵל H5034
Pronunciation nābēl

What does נָבֵל (nābēl) mean in the Bible?

נָבֵל (nābēl) is a Hebrew word meaning "to wilt ; generally, to fall away, fail , faint ; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked ; causatively, to despise , disgrace". to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace BDB: sink Usage: disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, × surely, make vile, wither.

Full entry for נָבֵל (H5034) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to wilt ; generally, to fall away, fail , faint ; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked ; causatively, to despise , disgrace
Extended definition

Progressive deterioration from physical wilting to moral corruption; failure and foolishness as inevitable decline

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace BDB: sink Usage: disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, × surely, make vile, wither.

Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 17×
Imperfect Ezek 47:12 · Isa 34:4 · Job 14:18 · Ps 1:3 · 2Sam 22:46 · Ps 18:46 · Exod 18:18
Perfect Isa 40:7 · Isa 40:8 · Jer 8:13 · Isa 24:4 · Prov 30:32
Participle active Isa 1:30 · Isa 28:1 · Isa 28:4
Infinitive absolute Exod 18:18
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Jussive Jer 14:21
Participle active Mic 7:6
Sources