Lexical Summary abah: To be willing, to consent, to yield, to desire Original Word: עָבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be grow thicker A primitive root; to be dense -- be (grow) thick(-er). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be thick, fat, or gross NASB Translation thick (1), thicker (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָבָה verb be thick, fat, gross (Late Hebrew Pi`el עִבָּה make thick, and derivatives; Syriac  swell up, passive participle swollen, thick, dense, stupid, and many derivatives; Arabic  be dense, stupid,  dense foliage; Ethiopic  be great Di985); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular מִמָּתְנֵי אָבִי ׳קָֽטֳנִּי ע 1 Kings 12:10 my little finger is thicker (stouter) than, etc., = 2 Chronicles 10:10; be thick, gross, of rebell. Israel under figure of highly fed beast, 2 masculine singular שָׁמַנְתָּ עָבִיתָ כָּשִׂיתָ Deuteronomy 32:15. II. [עָבוּר] noun only in בַּעֲבוּר47, בַּעֲבֻר (Genesis 27:10,31), preposition and conjunction for the sake of on account of, in order that (perhaps originally for the produce or gain of), suffix בַּעֲבוּרִי 1 Samuel 23:10, etc.; — 1 as preposition: a. Genesis 3:17 ארורה האדמה בעבורך for thy sake, Genesis 8:21 בעבור האדם for man's sake, Genesis 12:13 לְמַעַן יִיטַבלִֿי בַּעֲבוּרֵךְ, Genesis 12:16; Genesis 18:26,29; Genesis 26:24, Exodus 9:16 זֹאת ׳ב Exodus 13:8 זה ׳ב 1 Samuel 12:22; 2 Samuel 5:12; 2 Samuel 6:12; 2 Samuel 7:21; 2 Samuel 9:1,7; Amos 2:6; Amos 8:6 נַעֲלָ֑יִם ׳ואביון ב, Micah 2:10 טָמְאָה ׳ב on account of uncleanness, Psalm 106:32; Psalm 132:10, etc.; 2 Samuel 12:21 הַיֶּלֶד חַי ׳ב because of the child, (being) alive (= while he was alive), Jeremiah 14:4 **< read וְעֹבְדֵי הָאֲדָמָה חַתּוּ Duhm, compare ᵐ5. הָאֲדָמָה ׳ב חַ֫תָּה on account of the ground, (which) is dismayed, Job 20:2 וּבַעֲבוּר חוּשִׁי בִּי read זֹאת ׳וב, or וּבַעֲבוּרָהּ. b. followed by infinitive (compare לְמַעַן), in order to, Exodus 9:16 הַרְאֹתְךָ אֶתכֹּֿחִי ׳ב, 1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 10:3 הֲּקֹר ׳ב אתהֿעיר, 2 Samuel 18:18: so לְבַעֲבוּר Exodus 20:20; 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 17:14; בעבור לְ 1 Chronicles 19:3 ("" 2 Samuel 10:3, no לְ). 2 as conjunction Genesis 27:10 אֲשֶׁר יְבָרֶכְךָ ׳ב; without אשׁר, Genesis 21:30 לְעֵדָה ׳תִּהְיֶה לִ ׳ב in order that it may be a witness for me, Genesis 27:4 תְּבָרֶכְךָ נפשׁי ׳ב, Genesis 27:19; Genesis 27:31; Genesis 46:34; Exodus 9:14; Exodus 19:9; Exodus 20:20; Psalm 105:45. [עָבַת] verb Pi`el wind, weave (compare derivatives); — Imperfect3masculine plural suffix וַיְעַבְּתוּהָ Micah 7:3 and (so) they wind it (or weave it; i.e. mischief); so Hi Che GASm, but dubious; Ew reads עָבַט = twist, prevert (compare Joel 2:7, but see עבט), We וַיְעַוְּתוּהָ = id., compare Now (?), Dr. Topical Lexicon Overview The term describes the condition of becoming dense, thick, or fat. In Scripture it functions literally of physical dimension and figuratively of excess, complacency, and oppressive power. Its three appearances form a concise yet weighty testimony to the danger of self-indulgence and the misuse of strength. Occurrences and Immediate Settings • Deuteronomy 32:15 sets the theme: “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— you grew fat, thick, and sleek— then he abandoned the God who made him”. Here the thickening of Israel’s national life parallels a hardening of heart that leads to covenant infidelity. Physical Density and Human Strength Ancient Near Eastern ears would hear the imagery of weight and girth as a sign of prosperity and vigor. In Deuteronomy Moses uses it ironically: abundance that should have provoked gratitude instead produced spiritual lethargy. In Rehoboam’s reply the imagery shifts to raw political muscle. A denser “finger” implies concentrated power capable of crushing resistance. Moral and Spiritual Warnings 1. Prosperity can dull discernment. As Israel “grew thick” it simultaneously “abandoned” God. The outward swelling mirrored an inward shrinking of faith. Historical Significance Deuteronomy 32 is Moses’ prophetic survey of Israel’s future. The single verb captures centuries of covenant history in seed form—prosperity leading to apostasy, which invites divine discipline. Rehoboam’s statement marks the inauguration of that pattern in the monarchy era, triggering civil war and exposing the dangers Moses had foreseen. Thematic Links • Psalm 73:7 describes the wicked: “From their callous hearts proceeds iniquity; their imaginations overflow with follies.” Although a different word, the motif of swollen excess resonates. Ministry Application 1. Cultivate lean faith. Periodic self-examination, fasting, and sacrificial giving resist the slide into spiritual obesity. Summary Whether depicting a nation drifting from covenant love or a king flaunting coercive authority, the term confronts readers with the perils of unchecked increase. Thickness without tenderness invites divine correction; true strength submits to the Lord and serves others. Forms and Transliterations עָבִ֣יתָ עָבָ֖ה עבה עבית ‘ā·ḇāh ‘ā·ḇî·ṯā ‘āḇāh ‘āḇîṯā aVah aVitaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 32:15 HEB: וַיִּבְעָ֔ט שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ עָבִ֣יתָ כָּשִׂ֑יתָ וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙ NAS: You are grown fat, thick, and sleek-- KJV: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered INT: and kicked fat thick and sleek forsook 1 Kings 12:10 2 Chronicles 10:10 3 Occurrences |
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