Riv רִיב

Riv (Hebrew רִיב, Strong's H7379) is a Hebrew masculine noun meaning “strife”. It occurs 61 times in 60 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

Topics

• Conflict
• Lawsuits

Verses

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

Genesis

• Genesis 13:7
  And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.

Exodus

• Exodus 17:7
  And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
• Exodus 23:2
  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
• Exodus 23:3
  Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.
• Exodus 23:6
  Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

Deuteronomy

• Deuteronomy 1:12
  How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself?
• Deuteronomy 17:8
  If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose;If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.
• Deuteronomy 19:17
  Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
• Deuteronomy 21:5
  And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the Lord; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault.
• Deuteronomy 25:1
  If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

Judges

• Judges 12:2
  And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.But Jephthah replied, “My people and I had a serious conflict with the Ammonites, and when I called, you did not save me out of their hands.

1 Samuel

• 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.

2 Samuel

• 2 Samuel 15:2
  And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
• 2 Samuel 15:4
  Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”
• 2 Samuel 22:44
  Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.

2 Chronicles

• 2 Chronicles 19:8
  Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
• 2 Chronicles 19:10
  And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

Job

• Job 13:6
  Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
• Job 29:16
  I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.
• Job 31:13
  If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,
• Job 31:35
  Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.

Psalms

• Psalm 18:43
  Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
• Psalm 31:20
  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
• Psalm 35:23
  Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!
• 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 55:9
  Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
• 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 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 15:18
  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
• Proverbs 17:1
  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.
• Proverbs 17:14
  The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
• Proverbs 18:6
  A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
• Proverbs 18:17
  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
• Proverbs 20:3
  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
• 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 25:9
  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,
• Proverbs 26:17
  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
• Proverbs 26:21
  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
• Proverbs 30:33
  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”

Isaiah

• Isaiah 1:23
  Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
• Isaiah 34:8
  For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
• Isaiah 41:11
  Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.
• Isaiah 41:21
  Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.
• Isaiah 58:4
  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high.

Jeremiah

• Jeremiah 11:20
  But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
• Jeremiah 15:10
  Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and conflict in all the land. I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.
• Jeremiah 20:12
  But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
• Jeremiah 25:31
  A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.
• 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 3:36
  To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.to subvert a man in his lawsuit— of these the Lord does not approve.
• 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.

Ezekiel

• Ezekiel 44:24
  And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.

Hosea

• Hosea 4:1
  Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
• Hosea 12:2
  The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.The LORD also brings a charge against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

Micah

• Micah 6:2
  Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:
• 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.

Habakkuk

• Habakkuk 1:3
  Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.

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).