Original Word: יָרִיב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yariyb
Pronunciation: yah-REEB
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rebe')
KJV: that content(-eth), that strive
NASB: contend, one who contends, opponents
Word Origin: [from H7378 (רִיבּ רוּב - contend)]

1. (literally) he will contend
2. (properly, adjective) contentious
3. (as noun) an adversary

that contends, that strive , adversary

From riyb; literally, he will contend; properly, adjective, contentious; used as noun, an adversary -- that content(-eth), that strive.

see HEBREW riyb

Word Origin
from rib
Definition
opponent, adversary
NASB Translation
contend (1), one who contends (1), opponents (1).

I. [יָרִיב] noun [masculine] opponent, adversary (Ges^{§ 85d}); — suffix (of Zion), יְדִיבֵךְ Isaiah 49:26 (ᵐ5 רִיבֵךְ so Du); compare plural suffix יְרִיבַ֑י Psalm 35:1 ("" לֹחֲמָ֑י); of personal opponent, יְרִיבָ֑י Jeremiah 18:19 (ᵐ5 דִיבִי, so Gie).

Scope and Nuances of the Verb

The word describes formal contention—legal pleading, arguing a case, or stepping in as an advocate. It depicts an intentional, reasoned struggle rather than impulsive aggression. In Scripture this action is claimed for both humans (who plead their cause) and, supremely, for the LORD, who intervenes as righteous litigant, defender, and warrior.

Occurrences and Contexts

Psalm 35:1 sets the paradigm: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me”. David petitions God to become his attorney-general and military champion, turning personal persecution into a matter tried before the heavenly court.

Isaiah 49:25 lifts the same verb into an eschatological promise for Zion: “For I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children”. Here the covenant LORD pledges to reverse Israel’s helpless captivity. The phrase anchors hope in God’s self-commitment to defend His people when they are powerless to defend themselves.

Jeremiah 18:19 expresses a prophet’s lament: “Give heed to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying!” Jeremiah invokes the divine court against conspirators who reject God’s word. The verb supplies legal vocabulary for prophetic complaint, turning persecution into covenant litigation.

Theological Themes

Divine Advocacy

Throughout these texts God does not merely sympathize; He actively pleads and prosecutes. This discloses His character as Judge (Psalm 75:7) and Kinsman-Redeemer (Isaiah 54:5), safeguarding the weak and vindicating covenant loyalty.

Covenant Lawsuit Motif

Prophets frequently frame Israel’s relationship with the LORD in courtroom terms (Micah 6:1-2). The verb underscores this motif, reminding hearers that sin and oppression provoke not arbitrary wrath but a judicial response consistent with revealed law.

Spiritual Warfare Interwoven with Legal Imagery

Psalm 35 combines “contend” with “fight,” showing that the heavenly lawsuit issues in tangible deliverance. New Testament writers echo this union of legal verdict and victory when they speak of Christ as “Advocate with the Father” (1 John 2:1) and triumphant warrior (Revelation 19:11-16).

Historical Setting

In the Ancient Near Eastern world, litigation involved elders at the city gate or royal judges in the palace. The oppressed often lacked representation. By appropriating the verb for Himself, the LORD reverses social expectation: the highest Judge abandons neutrality to champion His covenant partners.

During Isaiah’s ministry Judah faced imperial threats and exile. God’s promise to “contend” thus meant political liberation. In Jeremiah’s day, apostasy within the nation created internal enemies of the word; divine litigation exposed that hidden treachery. Both contexts affirm that history bends toward the vindication of God’s servants.

Ministry Significance

Intercessory Prayer

Believers may appeal to God’s advocacy when confronting injustice or spiritual accusation. Psalm 35 legitimizes bold, courtroom-styled prayer that asks the Judge of all the earth to rule in righteousness.

Pastoral Comfort

Isaiah’s oracle assures suffering saints that God’s zeal to plead their cause exceeds their own capacity for self-defense. This steadies faith in seasons of cultural hostility or persecution.

Prophetic Preaching

Jeremiah’s usage warns congregations that resistance to God’s message positions them as defendants before the divine bench. Preachers can employ the verb to call for repentance, highlighting the seriousness of rejecting revealed truth.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate “Contender.” At the cross He bore the penalty of sinners yet simultaneously disarmed the accuser (Colossians 2:14-15). His resurrection is the decisive verdict of justification for all who believe (Romans 4:25). In His present ministry He “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25), fulfilling the ancient promise that God Himself would plead for His people.

Eschatological Outlook

The final judgment will universalize what Psalm 35, Isaiah 49, and Jeremiah 18 preview: every wrong redressed, every faithful witness vindicated. The Lamb who opens the seals will also prosecute the nations (Revelation 6:10). Until that day, the church bears witness, confident that the One who contended for Zion will complete the cause He began.

יְרִיבֵךְ֙ יְרִיבַ֑י יְרִיבָֽי׃ יריבי יריבי׃ יריבך yə·rî·ḇay yə·rî·ḇāy yə·rî·ḇêḵ yərîḇay yərîḇāy yərîḇêḵ yeriVai yeriveChInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts