Quranic root
نبع
n · b · ʿ
The root centers on water emerging and on the source or outlet from which it flows, alongside a distinct lexical branch naming the nabʿ tree.
The water branch extends from welling or issuing forth to the spring or source itself, with a causative Form IV verb meaning to make water issue. The lexica separately preserve نَبْع as a tree name and related terms for objects made from its wood.
- Maqāyīs · row 4526
- Mufradāt · row 1409
- Lane · entry 32052
- Lane · entry 32053
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
يَنْبُوع
yanbūʿ
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A spring or water-source from which water emerges.
Used of a natural water source; the Quranic occurrences include the singular يَنْبُوعًا and the plural يَنَابِيعَ.
- Mufradāt · row 1409
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:90word 10
“a spring”
Quran 39:21word 10
“(as) springs”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 5 Classical meanings
نَبَعَ
To well or issue forth, specifically of water.
An intransitive verbal use describing water emerging.
- Lane · entry 32052
أَنْبَعَ
To make or cause water to issue forth.
A causative Form IV verbal construction.
- Lane · entry 32053
نَبْعٌ
The nabʿ tree, whose wood was used for making bows.
A botanical noun distinct from the water-source noun.
- Lane · entry 32054
- Mufradāt · row 1409
نَبْعَانِ
The two shafts of a cart.
So called because such shafts were commonly made from nabʿ wood.
- Lane · entry 32054
النَّوَابِعُ
The places on a camel from which its sweat flows.
An animal-specific lexical expression for the outlets of perspiration.
- Maqāyīs · row 4526