Riv רִיב

Riv (Hebrew רִיב, Strong's H7378) is a Hebrew verb meaning “to contend”. It occurs 67 times in 59 verses of the Old Testament.

Definition

From the STEPBible Brief Lexicon of Hebrew (based on the abridged Brown-Driver-Briggs), STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.

Translated as

Verses

Every verse with Riv, with the English words that translate it highlighted (KJV or BSB; other translations show the KJV here).

Genesis

• Genesis 26:20
  And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.
• Genesis 26:21
  And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.
• Genesis 26:22
  And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.He moved on from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. He named it Rehoboth and said, “At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”
• Genesis 31:36
  And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?

Exodus

• Exodus 17:2
  Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
• Exodus 21:18
  And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:If men are quarreling and one strikes the other with a stone or a fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

Numbers

• Numbers 20:3
  And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!
• Numbers 20:13
  This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.

Deuteronomy

• Deuteronomy 33:7
  And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”
• Deuteronomy 33:8
  And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

Judges

• Judges 6:31
  And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”
• Judges 6:32
  Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.
• Judges 8:1
  And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.
• Judges 11:25
  And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?
• Judges 21:22
  And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.’”

1 Samuel

• 1 Samuel 2:10
  The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
• 1 Samuel 24:15
  The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
• 1 Samuel 25:39
  And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking for her in marriage.

Nehemiah

• Nehemiah 5:7
  Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them
• Nehemiah 13:11
  Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,
• Nehemiah 13:17
  Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?
• Nehemiah 13:25
  And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

Job

• Job 9:3
  If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.
• Job 10:2
  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me.
• Job 13:8
  Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
• Job 13:19
  Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
• Job 23:6
  Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.
• Job 33:13
  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?
• Job 40:2
  Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

Psalms

• Psalm 35:1
  Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me.
• Psalm 43:1
  Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
• Psalm 74:22
  Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.
• Psalm 103:9
  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.
• Psalm 119:154
  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.

Proverbs

• Proverbs 3:30
  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
• Proverbs 22:23
  For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
• Proverbs 23:11
  For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.
• Proverbs 25:8
  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
• Proverbs 25:9
  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,

Isaiah

• Isaiah 1:17
  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
• Isaiah 3:13
  The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.
• Isaiah 19:20
  And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender to rescue them.
• Isaiah 27:8
  In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.
• Isaiah 45:9
  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker— one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?
• Isaiah 49:25
  But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.
• Isaiah 50:8
  He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!
• Isaiah 51:22
  Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again.
• Isaiah 57:16
  For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.

Jeremiah

• Jeremiah 2:9
  Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the Lord, and with your children’s children will I plead.Therefore, I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will bring a case against your children’s children.
• Jeremiah 2:29
  Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.
• Jeremiah 12:1
  Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
• Jeremiah 50:34
  Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.
• Jeremiah 51:36
  Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.

Lamentations

• Lamentations 3:58
  O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.You defend my cause, O Lord; You redeem my life.

Hosea

• Hosea 2:2
  Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.
• Hosea 4:4
  Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.

Amos

• Amos 7:4
  Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord God called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land.

Micah

• Micah 6:1
  Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.
• Micah 7:9
  I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.

Notes

1. Definition and verse list from STEPBible's tagged Hebrew Old Testament (TAHOT) and Greek New Testament (TAGNT) and Brief Lexicons, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.
2. English renderings from the public-domain KJV with Strong's numbers (eBible.org) and the Berean Standard Bible interlinear (public domain).