רִיב

From the study of Jeremiah 12:1

Range of meaning

To quarrel, dispute, contend. Above all, to bring or conduct a legal case, whether as accuser, defendant or advocate. The noun riv means a lawsuit, a legal case or a quarrel.

Against the English

BSB and KJV say "plead" and ESV says "complain", while WEB has "contend." In modern English "plead" usually means "beg," and "complain" sounds like grumbling. The Hebrew is neither. It means bringing formal legal charges.

How it drifted

In older English, to "plead" meant to argue a case in court; the KJV translators used it in that legal sense. Today the begging sense has taken over.

Used elsewhere in the period

The prophets use riv for God's lawsuit against Israel: Jer 2:9 ("I will bring charges against you"), Hos 4:1, Mic 6:1-2. In Jer 2:29 God objects, "Why do you bring a case against me (tarivu elay)?", the very move Jeremiah now makes. Job 9:3 and 40:2 discuss whether anyone can "contend with" God. Just before this verse, in Jer 11:20, Jeremiah says "to you I have laid open my case (rivi)" against the men of Anathoth.

From the study of Exodus 17:2

Range of meaning

To strive, quarrel, contend. It covers everything from a hostile verbal confrontation to formally bringing a case against someone. As a noun (rîv) it means a dispute or a lawsuit. HALOT and BDB both list 'conduct a legal case' alongside 'quarrel'. The word assumes two opposing parties, one accusing the other of failing an obligation.

Against the English

BSB 'contended' and YLT 'strive' keep the confrontational force. ESV, NIV, NASB and WEB say 'quarrel', which is accurate but can sound like a domestic squabble. KJV 'chide' meant 'wrangle, dispute loudly' in 1611 but now sounds like a mild scolding. NLT's 'complained' blurs this verb with the different word for 'grumbled' (lûn) in v. 3.

How it drifted

English 'chide' has softened since the 17th century. 'Complain' merges two Hebrew verbs that the narrator keeps apart.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for disputes over wells (Gen 26:20–22, where the well is named ʿEseq, 'Contention'), and for legal disputes (Exod 23:2–3; Deut 25:1). The prophets use it for the 'covenant lawsuit' God brings against Israel (Hos 4:1; Mic 6:1–2; Jer 2:9). The place name Meribah (v. 7; Num 20:13) comes from it, and Ps 95:8 and Ps 106:32 remember the event by that name. The Septuagint translates it here with loidoreō, 'to revile, abuse verbally', which brings out the insulting tone.

From the study of Isaiah 1:17

Range of meaning

To quarrel, strive, contend. In legal settings it means bring or argue a lawsuit, and plead someone's case (1 Samuel 24:15; Proverbs 22:23, 'the LORD will plead their case'). The noun rîḇ means a dispute or lawsuit.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'plead for the widow' sounds today like begging on her behalf. The Hebrew means arguing her case as her legal advocate. BSB 'plead the case of' and NLT 'fight for the rights of' keep the legal sense.

How it drifted

In 1611 'plead' was still mainly a legal word, but in everyday modern English it has drifted toward 'beg, implore.'

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah 3:13: 'The LORD rises to contend (rîḇ); he stands to judge the peoples.' Micah 6:1–2 calls God's 'case' against Israel a rîḇ. Proverbs 23:10–11: 'do not enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead (yārîḇ) their case against you.'