Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
ריב
The verb ריב (rib) means to strive or contend. Since a lot of that goes on in the Bible, this verb occurs all over. It may describe combat between two men (Exodus 21:18) or groups (Deuteronomy 33:7). It may denote mere friction or bickering (Genesis 31:36), legal combat (Proverbs 25:8) or laying in ambush (1 Samuel 15:5).
This verb's derivatives are:
- The masculine noun ריב (rib), meaning strife or dispute (Exodus 17:7, 2 Samuel 22:44), or plea (Proverbs 18:17).
- The masculine noun יריב (yarib) denotes an opponent or adversary (Isaiah 49:25, Psalm 35:1 and Jeremiah 18:19 only).
- The feminine noun מריבה (meriba), literally means agent or place of strife or contention. This noun occurs in the narrative in Genesis 13:8 and Numbers 27:14 and is also identical to the name Meribah.