Original Word: נָבַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: naba`
Pronunciation: naw-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bah')
KJV: belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly)
NASB: utter, belch forth, bubbling, eagerly utter, pour, pour forth, pours
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to gush forth
2. (figuratively) to utter (good or bad words)
3. specifically, to emit (a foul odor)

Pour out, flowing, send forth, utter abundantly

A primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor) -- belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to flow, spring, bubble up
NASB Translation
belch forth (1), bubbling (1), eagerly utter (1), pour (1), pour forth (1), pours (1), pours forth (1), spouts (1), utter (2).

[נָבַע] verb flow, spring, bubble up, in poetry and late (Late Hebrew id. (rare); Assyrian nabû, id., Dl^{HWB 442}; Arabic well or issue forth (of water); Aramaic נְבַע; Ethiopic II. weep, tear(s)); —

Qal Participle נַ֫חַל נֹבֵעַ Proverbs 18:4 a flowing wady, metaphor of מְקוֺר חָכְמָה.

Hiph`il Imperfect יַבִּיעַ Psalm 19:3 3t.; אַבְּ֫יעָה Psalm 78:2; Proverbs 1:23; יַבִּ֫יעוּ Psalm 94:4; Psalm 145:7; יַבִּיעוּן Psalm 59:8; 3feminine plural תַּבַּ֫עְנָה Psalm 119:171; — pour out, emit, cause to bubble, belch forth:

1 pour out, figurative אַבִּיעָה לָכֶם רוּחִי Proverbs 1:23 ("" אוֺדִ֫יעָה דְבָרַי אֶתְכֶם).

2 cause to bubble, ferment זְבוּבֵי מָ֫וֶת יַבְאִישׁ יַכִּיעַ שֶׁמֶן רוֺקֵ֑חַ Ecclesiastes 10:1.

3 figurative, usually of speech, pour forth, emit, belch forth, emphatic expression: מִּי רְשָׁעִים יַבִּיעַ רָעוֺת Proverbs 15:28 (opposed to לֵב צַדִּיק יֶהְגֶּה לַעֲנוֺת) i.e. the righteous considers before he speaks, the wicked bursts out with reckless utterance; מִּי כְסִילִים יַבִּיעַ אִוֶּלֶת Proverbs 15:2 (opposed to לְשׁוֺן חֲכָמִים תֵּיטִיב דָּ֑עַת); יַבִּ֫יעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק Psalm 94:4 ("" יִתְאַמְּרוּ כָּלמֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן); בְּפִיהֶם ׳יַבּ Psalm 59:8 ("" חֲרָבוֺת בְּשִׂפְתוֺתֵיהֶם); in good sense, אַבִּ֫יעָה חִידוֺת Psalm 78:2 ("" אֶפְתֳּחה בְּמָשָׁל מִּי); תַּבַּעְנָה שְׂפָתַי תְּהִלָּה Psalm 119:171; זֵכֶר רַבטֿוּבְךָ יִבִּ֑יעוּ Psalm 145:7 ("" וְצִדְקָֽתְךָ יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ, compare also Psalm 145:6); metaphor אֹמֶר ׳יוֺם לְיוֺם יַבּ Psalm 19:3, i. e. though silent, it really pours forth speech.

Imagery and Concept

נָבַע portrays movement from an unseen source to open visibility—like water surging from a spring, perfume vapors rising, or words bursting from the lips. Scripture uses the verb literally for liquid or odor (Ecclesiastes 10:1) and figuratively for speech, attitudes, and divine revelation. Whether righteous or wicked, whatever is hidden in the heart will eventually “bubble up” and become audible or observable.

Literary Distribution

The term appears eleven times, all in the poetic and wisdom books. Five occurrences are in the Psalms (19:2; 59:7; 78:2; 94:4; 119:171; 145:7), five in Proverbs (1:23; 15:2; 15:28; 18:4), and one in Ecclesiastes (10:1). This placement ties the word to Israel’s worship, wisdom tradition, and reflective literature, indicating its relevance for both corporate praise and personal conduct.

Positive Expressions: Praise, Wisdom, Revelation

• Psalm 19:2 celebrates the unceasing testimony of creation: “Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Creation’s continuous נָבַע proclaims God’s glory without words, modeling faithful witness.
• Psalm 119:171 situates the verb in covenant devotion: “My lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.” When God’s instruction saturates the heart, praise overflows naturally.
• Proverbs 1:23 links the divine promise of revelation to an outpouring: “If you turn to my rebuke, behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Wisdom’s spirit flows to the repentant, foreshadowing the fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf. Joel 2:28).
• Proverbs 18:4 depicts refreshing counsel: “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” God-given insight, like clear spring water, brings life to others.
• Psalm 145:7 pictures communal worship: “They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.” Praise is not restrained; it wells up and spreads through the congregation.

Negative Expressions: Arrogance, Folly, Wickedness

• Psalm 59:7: “See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips.” The same verb that describes praise also describes malicious speech; the heart’s content dictates the quality of the overflow.
• Psalm 94:4 speaks of the insolent: “They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.” Unchecked pride bubbles up in defiance of God.
• Proverbs 15:2; 15:28 contrast wisdom and folly: “The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly… the heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” Disciplined reflection dams the torrent of sinful talk, whereas folly erupts unfiltered.
• Ecclesiastes 10:1 warns that a small dose of foolishness can corrupt: “As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” Here נָבַע suggests the rancid odor that rises from contaminated oil—an arresting metaphor for moral decay.

Prophetic and Didactic Significance

The verb’s usage in Psalm 78:2—“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning”—is cited in Matthew 13:35 concerning Christ’s parabolic teaching. Jesus embodies the ultimate wellspring of concealed wisdom now revealed. Similarly, Proverbs 1:23 anticipates the Spirit’s future effusion, situating נָבַע within salvation history as a precursor to Pentecost.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Guard the Source: Since speech reveals the heart, pastors and believers must cultivate inner holiness. Regular self-examination prevents toxic overflow (Proverbs 4:23).
2. Encourage Overflowing Praise: Corporate worship should provide channels for the congregation to “pour forth” God’s works (Psalm 145:7), reinforcing communal memory of His deeds.
3. Model Wise Speech: Teachers should emulate the “bubbling brook” of Proverbs 18:4, offering clear, life-giving counsel that refreshes the weary.
4. Address Arrogant Talk: The church must admonish speech that “spouts folly” (Proverbs 15:2) or “pours out arrogant words” (Psalm 94:4), recognizing that unchecked tongues can taint the corporate witness as dead flies taint perfume (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

Christological Perspective

Jesus Christ is the flawless fountain (John 7:37-38). His words flowed with grace and truth, fulfilling the positive strand of נָבַע and judging the negative. Believers united to Him receive the promised Spirit, becoming conduits through whom living water flows to a thirsty world.

Summary

נָבַע underscores the inevitability of overflow—whether of praise, wisdom, or folly. Scripture urges God’s people to ensure that what wells up in them is informed by His statutes, empowered by His Spirit, and directed toward His glory.

אַבִּ֣יעָה אַבִּ֥יעָה אביעה יַבִּ֑יעוּ יַבִּ֖יעַ יַבִּ֘יע֤וּן יַבִּ֣יעַֽ יַבִּ֣יעוּ יַבִּ֥יעַ יביע יביעו יביעון נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ נבע תַּבַּ֣עְנָה תבענה ’ab·bî·‘āh ’abbî‘āh abBiah nō·ḇê·a‘ nōḇêa‘ noVea tab·ba‘·nāh tabba‘nāh tabBanah yab·bî·‘ū yab·bî·‘ūn yab·bî·a‘ yabbî‘ū yabbî‘ūn yabBia yabbîa‘ yabBiu yabBiUnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts