Lexical Summary nob: Nob Original Word: נוֹב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fruit Or neyb {nabe}; from nuwb; produce, literally or figuratively -- fruit. see HEBREW nuwb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nub Definition fruit NASB Translation praise (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נוֺב Kt (Qr נִיב, q. v.) noun [masculine] fruit; — construct Isaiah 57:19 fruit of lips (figurative for thanksgiving). [נִיב] noun [masculine] fruit; — ניב construct Isaiah 57:19 Qr, see above; נִיבוֺ Malachi 1:12 of offerings to ׳י as fruit of his table ("" אכלו). Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and ImageryStrong’s 5108, נוֹב, gathers up the idea of fresh growth that emerges from a living source—buds that become edible fruit, or, by extension, any produced outcome. Scripture uses the term concretely for agricultural yield and figuratively for what the human heart and lips “bring forth.” Thus it links the visible world of harvest with the invisible realm of worship, giving a vivid picture of life that flows from God and returns to Him in praise or in sacrificial gifts. Canonical Occurrences 1. Isaiah 57:19 – “I will create the fruit of the lips: ‘Peace, peace to those far and near,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will heal them.’ ” Each text treats נוֹב as an outcome presented before God: in Isaiah, words of praise fashioned by the Lord Himself; in Malachi, sacrificial food that Israel despises. Theology of Worship and Praise Isaiah declares that the Lord personally fashions “the fruit of the lips.” Worship is therefore not self-generated flattery but a divinely enabled response. The prophetic setting (chapters 56–57) contrasts the repentant who inherit peace with the wicked who remain restless. Into that tension God promises to create, literally to “bring into existence,” speech that conveys shalom. Praising lips become the ripe fruit of restored hearts; God both plants and harvests this produce, underscoring salvation by grace. Covenant Faithfulness and Cultic Integrity Malachi confronts post-exilic priests who treat the “fruit” of the altar as worthless. The same word that, in Isaiah, signals Spirit-generated praise now labels offerings carelessly rendered. The disjunction exposes hypocrisy: if the yield of field and flock is presented half-heartedly, the worshipper contradicts the very nature of נוֹב—fresh, unblemished, God-given. Malachi thus presses covenant responsibility: authentic fruit must mirror the Giver’s character (Malachi 1:6–14). Redemptive Trajectory New Testament writers echo the motif without employing the Hebrew term. Hebrews 13:15 speaks of “a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name,” clearly reflecting Isaiah 57:19. The apostle Paul views financial generosity as “fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:17), while James warns that salt water cannot “bear” fresh produce (James 3:12). These passages develop a continuum: what God implants by the gospel must mature into tangible worship, ethical speech, and generous action. Practical Ministry Applications • Corporate Worship: Leaders can appeal to Isaiah 57:19 when encouraging congregations to see sung praise as God-enabled fruit rather than human performance. Summary נוֹב binds together cultivation and consecration. It pictures life that begins with God’s creative power, ripens under His providence, and is returned to Him in adoration or offering. Isaiah celebrates its gracious origin; Malachi warns against its profanation. Taken together, the word urges believers of every age to let their gifts and their speech be fresh, wholesome, and worthy of the Holy One who planted them. Forms and Transliterations וְנִיב֖וֹ וניבו נִ֣יב ניב nîḇ Niv veniVo wə·nî·ḇōw wənîḇōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 57:19 HEB: [נוּב כ] (נִ֣יב ק) שְׂפָתָ֑יִם NAS: Creating the praise of the lips. KJV: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, INT: Creating fruit of the lips Peace Malachi 1:12 2 Occurrences |
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