Original Word: מַרְבִּית
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: marbiyth
Pronunciation: mar-beeth'
Phonetic Spelling: (mar-beeth')
KJV: greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude
NASB: gain, greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude
Word Origin: [from H7235 (רָבָה - To increase)]

1. a multitude
2. also offspring
3. specifically interest (on capital)

greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude

From rabah; a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital) -- greatest part, greatness, increase, multitude.

see HEBREW rabah

Word Origin
from rabah
Definition
increase, great number, greatness
NASB Translation
gain (1), greatest part (1), greatness (1), increase (1), multitude (1).

מַרְבִּית noun feminine increase, great number, greatness; — ׳מ absolute Leviticus 25:37; construct 1 Samuel 2:33 + 2t.; suffix מַרְבִּיתָם 1 Chronicles 12:30 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:29); —

1 increase, concrete:

a. of family 1 Samuel 2:33.

b. increment, interest, usury, Leviticus 25:37 (H; of food-stuffs, "" נֶשֶׁךְ, of money; ׳מ of money Egyptian Aramaic, opposed to ראש principal, Cooke^{North-Semitic Inscr. 404}).

2 great number: of people 2 Chronicles 30:18; with suffix = the greater part of them, 1 Chronicles 12:30 (see above).

3 greatness, of wisdom 2 Chronicles 9:6.

Marbit (מַרְבִּית) – God-granted increase, greatness, abundance

Scope of Usage

The noun appears five times, framing themes of growth in economic life, priestly succession, military renown, royal splendor, and revival crowds.

Economic Justice and Covenant Compassion (Leviticus 25:37)

“You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.”

The increase (marbit) that might be gained by charging interest to a poor brother is forbidden. Abundance is to uplift the weak, never exploit them. The principle still cautions Christians against profiteering from fellow believers and urges generosity that mirrors the grace of Christ.

Priestly Legacy and the Danger of Unholy Ambition (1 Samuel 2:33)

“I will cut off every man of yours from My altar … and all the increase of your house will die in the prime of life.”

Marbit marks the physical growth of Eli’s house—growth God cuts short because of unrepentant sin. Greatness without holiness is unsustainable. Leaders today must guard both personal and generational faithfulness.

God-Wrought Renown in Kingdom Service (1 Chronicles 12:30)

“From Ephraim twenty-eight thousand eight hundred mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses.”

The term denotes the warriors’ celebrated reputation. Their fame arose from loyalty to David—the LORD’s chosen king—showing that real influence comes from devotion to God’s purposes.

Unparalleled Splendor and Testimony to the Nations (2 Chronicles 9:6)

“Not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have exceeded the report I heard.”

The Queen of Sheba acknowledges Solomon’s vast greatness. Covenant blessing, properly stewarded, becomes evangelistic: a visiting ruler blesses the LORD after seeing Solomon’s marbit.

Revival Crowds and Grace for the Impure (2 Chronicles 30:18)

“A great many of the people … had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover … But Hezekiah prayed for them.”

Here marbit identifies the multitude who came to the Passover unprepared. God “healed the people” in response to intercession, showing that His mercy matches the size of every seeking crowd.

Unified Biblical Portrait

• Increase is sourced in God and bounded by covenant ethics.
• Abundance turns into judgment when severed from holiness.
• God magnifies reputation for those aligned with His chosen king.
• Visible greatness can draw outsiders to worship the LORD.
• Mass spiritual movements require intercessory covering and pastoral grace.

Ministry Principles

1. Use prosperity to relieve, not exploit, need.
2. Cultivate generational holiness; sin truncates legacy.
3. Trust God to enlarge influence as you honor His King, Jesus.
4. Let evident blessing become a witness to the nations.
5. Combine bold invitations with earnest prayer when crowds respond.

Christological Trajectory

Solomon’s unmatched marbit anticipates “something greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42). In Jesus Christ the wisdom and riches of God reach their fullest increase, and the church displays that abundance until “the glory and honor of the nations” fill the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:26).

וּבְמַרְבִּ֖ית ובמרבית מַרְבִּ֣ית מַרְבִּ֥ית מַרְבִּיתָ֔ם מרבית מרביתם mar·bî·ṯām mar·bîṯ marBit marbîṯ marbiTam marbîṯām ū·ḇə·mar·bîṯ ūḇəmarbîṯ uvemarBitInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts