Original Word: אֵבֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ebeh
Pronunciation: ay'-beh
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-beh')
Definition: Desire, longing
Meaning: the papyrus

swift

From 'abah (in the sense of bending toward); the papyrus -- swift.

see HEBREW 'abah

Word Origin
from abah
Definition
reed, papyrus
NASB Translation
reed (1).

אֵ֫בֶה noun [masculine] reed, papyrus (etymology uncertain; = Arabic , Assyrian abu Dl^W, AGI) אֳנִיּוֺת אֵבֶ֑ה Job 9:26 (craft made of reeds, light & swift, Heliod.^{Aethiop. X, 460}) = כְּלֵיגֹֿמֶא Isaiah 18:2.

II. אבה (perhaps at least formally justified as stem of אָב (construct אֲבִי), so Thes (compare below), but existence & meaning wholly dubious; as real √ Ba^{ZMG 1887, 609 ff.} Ol^{§ 123 c}; accusative to Dl^{W p. 22} אבה Assyrian abû = decide, אָב = he who decides; Thes (so Rob Ges Nö^{ZMG xl, 737 &} compare Sta^{§ 186} and others) makes אָב noun primarily biliteral, imitating infant's speech compare πάππας, pappa, papa (compare Ew^{§ 106 a}); also Assyrian bab Jen^{ZA 1886, 404}).

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to be thick.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Greek entries for the Hebrew word אֵבֶה (eveh) as it specifically refers to the papyrus plant, which is more culturally and geographically specific to the Hebrew Bible's context. However, Greek terms related to plants or reeds, such as κάλαμος (kalamos), may be used in similar contexts in the Septuagint or New Testament.

Usage: The term אֵבֶה (eveh) is used in the context of describing the papyrus plant, particularly in its natural habitat, such as marshes or riverbanks. It is mentioned in the context of its growth and its symbolic representation of prosperity or desolation when it withers.

Context: The Hebrew word אֵבֶה (eveh) refers to the papyrus plant, a significant plant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, especially in Egypt. Papyrus was a crucial resource in ancient times, primarily used for making paper, which was essential for writing and record-keeping. The plant's thick, reed-like stalks were also used for constructing boats, mats, and baskets.

In the Bible, אֵבֶה (eveh) is mentioned in contexts that highlight its natural habitat and its symbolic significance. The papyrus plant typically grows in marshy areas, thriving in the wet, nutrient-rich environments along riverbanks. Its presence is often associated with abundance and fertility, as it requires a well-watered environment to flourish.

However, the papyrus also serves as a symbol of fragility and transience. In Job 8:11, the rhetorical question, "Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?" (BSB), illustrates the dependence of the plant on its environment, symbolizing the precariousness of human endeavors without divine support.

The imagery of the papyrus plant in biblical literature underscores themes of prosperity, dependency, and the fleeting nature of life, reflecting the broader theological and moral lessons conveyed in the Scriptures.

אֵבֶ֑ה אבה ’ê·ḇeh ’êḇeh eVehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts