Metaphysical meaning of Riblah (mbd)
Riblah, rib-lah (Heb.)--very much, i. e., in number or volume; fertility; fruitful; abundance; multitude of people.
a A city on the eastern boundary of the land of Canaan (Num. 34:11). b A city in the land of Hamath, where Pharaoh-necoh put Jehoahaz, king of Judah, in bonds (II Kings 23:33). c The place where Zedekiah was taken as a captive before the king of Babylon. There his sons were slain, and his eyes were put out, and he was bound to be taken to Babylon (II Kings 25:6).
Meta. The belief of the outer man that riches and good, results of true fruitfulness of thought and act, are measured by outer possessions and seeming greatness in the outer; also the belief that strength and power lie in numbers and in outer display (very much, i. e., in number or volume; fertility; fruitful; abundance; multitude of people). At Riblah, in Hamath, great calamities befell Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, kings of Judah.
Hamath symbolizes confidence in material conditions rather than trust in God. When man comes into a degree of knowledge of Truth and then falls back into a belief in materiality, putting his trust in outer, seemingly material conditions and riches instead of God, destructive forces work in him to dull his spiritual insight into Truth and to destroy the ruling power of his high ideals. Of course, troubles in body and affairs follow, as a consequence. (See DIBLAH.)
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Preceding Entry: Ribai
Following Entry: rich man
