Lexical Summary eb: Freshness, Fresh Greenery, Young Shoots Original Word: אֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance greenness, fruit From the same as 'abiyb; a green plant -- greenness, fruit. see HEBREW 'abiyb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as abib Definition freshness, fresh green NASB Translation blossoms (1), green (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אֵב] noun [masculine] freshness, fresh green (LagBN 207 Infinitive ibb; thence concrete, compare Arabic  ; above stem & meaning better than √ אנב (spring) compare Assyrian inbu, fruit, Aramaic אִנְבֵּהּ (q. v.) DlHA 65, Prov 114) עֹדֶנּוּ בְאִבּוֺ while yet in its freshness (i.e. אָחוּ, reed) Job 8:12; concrete, plural green shoots בְּאִבֵּי הַנַּחַל Songs 6:11 ("" הֲפָֽרְחָה הַגֶּפֶן הֵנֵצוּ הָֽרִמֹּנִים׃. [אֵב K§ 55, 5 a) 2] noun masculine fruit (Biblical Hebrew; √ אבב); — suffix 3 masculine singular אִנְבֵהּ (K§ 11, 4 b) Daniel 4:9; Daniel 4:11; Daniel 4:18. Topical Lexicon Overview אֵב (’ēḇ) denotes the tender, moist greenness of a plant just as sap is rising and life is visibly budding. Its two canonical appearances create a vivid picture of vulnerable freshness—life in its earliest, most promising stage—while also exposing how quickly such vitality can fade when cut off from its source. Scriptural Usage 1. Job 8:12 — “While they are still green and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass”. Bildad employs the image to illustrate the fragility of the godless. The “green” (’ēḇ) papyrus may look vibrant, yet without water it will perish sooner than ordinary grass. Agricultural Background In ancient Near-Eastern agronomy, early greenness marked the transition from dormancy to productivity. Farmers gauged upcoming yields by observing the first verdant shoots. The Hebrew audience would immediately grasp the precariousness of this stage; a sudden heat or lack of water could devastate a crop before it matured. Symbolism in Wisdom Literature Bildad’s reference frames prosperity apart from God as merely apparent and short-lived. Proverbs and Psalms echo the theme: “When the wicked sprout up like grass…they will perish forever” (Psalm 92:7). ’Ēḇ thus underscores the illusory security of those rooted in temporal resources rather than divine righteousness. Symbolism in Love Poetry In Song of Songs the same term conveys youthful fruitfulness and anticipated harvest. The bride’s excursion to inspect budding vines mirrors the Lord’s delight in early signs of spiritual fruit among His people (compare John 15:2). The greenness promises consummation, portraying love that is both fresh and destined to mature. Theological Themes 1. Dependence — Life flourishes only while connected to its sustaining source (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7-8). Messianic and Redemptive Overtones Prophets liken Messiah to “a shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1) and to “a tender plant” (Isaiah 53:2). The fragile freshness of ’ēḇ foreshadows Christ’s humble incarnation—seemingly vulnerable yet destined to bear everlasting fruit. In Him the fleeting greenness of fallen humanity is transformed into enduring life (John 10:10). Practical Ministry Application • Discipleship: New believers resemble ’ēḇ—gloriously green yet requiring nurture through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship (1 Peter 2:2-3). Related Terms in Scripture • יָרָק (yārāq) — vegetable green, emphasizing color rather than stage Collectively these terms reinforce a biblical motif: authentic, lasting life springs only from God’s gracious provision and covenant faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations בְ֭אִבּוֹ בְּאִבֵּ֣י באבו באבי bə’ibbê ḇə’ibbōw bə·’ib·bê ḇə·’ib·bōw beibBei veibboLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 8:12 HEB: עֹדֶ֣נּוּ בְ֭אִבּוֹ לֹ֣א יִקָּטֵ֑ף NAS: While it is still green [and] not cut down, KJV: Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down, INT: is still green not cut Songs 6:11 2 Occurrences |
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