What does רַב · עָבַד · צָעִיר mean in the Bible?
רַב · עָבַד · צָעִיר is a Hebrew phrase meaning "the older shall serve the younger".
Hebrew · H7227, H5647, H6810
רַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר
Abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) · to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve , till , (causatively) enslave , etc. · little ; (in number) few ; (in age) young , (in value) ignoble
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.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
רַבH7227abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Pronunciationrabbim
Abundance across multiple dimensions (quantity, quality, rank, time); often implies authority or leadership capacity.
Open lexicon entry →עָבַדH5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve , till , (causatively) enslave , etc.
Pronunciationʿābad
Service encompasses labor, slavery, and worship—a single Hebrew concept uniting human work with devotion to God.
Open lexicon entry →צָעִירH6810little ; (in number) few ; (in age) young , (in value) ignoble
Pronunciationṣāʿiyr
Scales downward across dimensions: size, quantity, age, and social rank or importance.
Open lexicon entry →What does רַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר (rav ya'avod tsa'ir) mean in the Bible?
רַב · עָבַד · צָעִיר is a Hebrew phrase meaning "the older shall serve the younger".
Full entry for רַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר (H7227, H5647, H6810) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H7227, H5647, H6810?
H7227, H5647, H6810 is connected to 774 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. the older shall serve the younger
Source Gloss
the older shall serve the younger
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms389
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense2×
PerfectDeut 33:7 · Gen 18:202×
Word Origins
רַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר is built from this root:
Cross-Language Connections
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.