What does נָדִיב (nāḏîḇ) mean in the Bible?
נָדִיב (nāḏîḇ): Voluntary generosity rooted in willing inclination; denotes both noble benefactor and potentially oppressive wielder of power.
Hebrew · H5081
נָדִיב
Properly, voluntary , i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous ; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant )
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
נָדִיבH5081
Pronunciationnāḏîḇ
What does נָדִיב (nāḏîḇ) mean in the Bible?
נָדִיב (nāḏîḇ): Voluntary generosity rooted in willing inclination; denotes both noble benefactor and potentially oppressive wielder of power.
Full entry for נָדִיב (H5081) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5081?
The BSB source-word alignment has 29 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include nobles (4), of the prince (3), the nobles (3), in princes (2), a noble (1).
Where does נָדִיב (nāḏîḇ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 35:5. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (8), Isaiah (5), Proverbs (5), Job (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itnobles4×Job 12:21, Job 34:18, Psalms 113:8, Proverbs 8:16
of the prince3×Proverbs 19:6, Proverbs 25:7, Song Of Solomon 7:1
the nobles3×Numbers 21:18, Psalms 47:9, Psalms 107:40
in princes2×Psalms 118:9, Psalms 146:3
a noble1×Proverbs 17:26
among the royal1×Song Of Solomon 6:12
But a noble man1×Isaiah 32:8
honorable plans1×Isaiah 32:8
is willing1×Exodus 35:5
noble1×Isaiah 32:5
now is the nobleman’s1×Job 21:28
of the nobles1×Isaiah 13:2
princes1×1 Samuel 2:8
the princes1×Psalms 113:8
their nobles1×Psalms 83:11
to a ruler1×Proverbs 17:7
were willing1×2 Chronicles 29:31
who had willing1×Exodus 35:22
willing man1×1 Chronicles 28:21
with a willing1×Psalms 51:12
worthy causes1×Isaiah 32:8
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 35:5נְדִ֣יבtois willingAdjective - masculine singular constructExodus 35:22נְדִ֣יבtowho had willingAdjective - masculine singular constructNumbers 21:18נְדִיבֵ֣יtothe noblesAdjective - masculine plural construct1 Samuel 2:8נְדִיבִ֔יםtoprincesAdjective - masculine plural1 Chronicles 28:21נָדִ֤יבtowilling manAdjective - masculine singular2 Chronicles 29:31נְדִ֥יבtowere willingAdjective - masculine singular constructJob 12:21נְדִיבִ֑יםtonoblesAdjective - masculine pluralJob 21:28נָדִ֑יבtonow is the nobleman’sAdjective - masculine singularJob 34:18נְדִיבִֽים׃tonoblesAdjective - masculine pluralPsalms 47:9נְדִ֘יבֵ֤יtoThe noblesAdjective - masculine plural construct
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 35:5
Aligned rows29
Books represented10
Exodus2Numbers11 Samuel11 Chronicles12 Chronicles1Job3Psalms8Proverbs5Song Of Solomon2Isaiah5
Source forms
נָדִ֑יב5xnā·ḏîḇJob 21:28, Proverbs 19:6, Proverbs 25:7, Song Of Solomon 7:1
נְדִיבִ֑ים3xnə·ḏî·ḇîmJob 12:21, Psalms 107:40, Psalms 113:8
נְדִ֣יב2xnə·ḏîḇExodus 35:5, Exodus 35:22
נְדִיבִֽים׃2xnə·ḏî·ḇîmJob 34:18, Isaiah 13:2
בִנְדִיבִ֑ים1xḇin·ḏî·ḇîmPsalms 146:3
בִּנְדִיבִֽים׃1xbin·ḏî·ḇîmPsalms 118:9
וְנָדִ֖יב1xwə·nā·ḏîḇIsaiah 32:8
וּ֝נְדִיבִ֗ים1xū·nə·ḏî·ḇîmProverbs 8:16
Parsing patterns
Adjective - masculine plural7x1 Samuel 2:8, Job 12:21, Job 34:18, Psalms 107:40
Adjective - masculine singular7x1 Chronicles 28:21, Job 21:28, Proverbs 19:6, Proverbs 25:7
Adjective - masculine plural construct3xNumbers 21:18, Psalms 47:9, Psalms 113:8
Adjective - masculine singular construct3xExodus 35:5, Exodus 35:22, 2 Chronicles 29:31
Noun - feminine plural2xIsaiah 32:8
Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine plural2xPsalms 118:9, Psalms 146:3
Adjective - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural1xPsalms 83:11
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural1xProverbs 8:16
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Voluntary generosity rooted in willing inclination; denotes both noble benefactor and potentially oppressive wielder of power.
Source Gloss
properly, voluntary , i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous ; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant )
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Voluntary generosity rooted in willing inclination; denotes both noble benefactor and potentially oppressive wielder of power.
properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant) BDB: inclined Usage: free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing (hearted).
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
Generous or honorable person.
Showing 1 selected witness from 29 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
נָדִיב is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Contrasts genuine integrity with deceptive folly.Isaiah 32:1-8
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.