רִיב

But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.

He moved on from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. He named it Rehoboth and said, “At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”

Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?

So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

If men are quarreling and one strikes the other with a stone or a fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!

These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.

And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”

So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.

Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, “Why have you done this to us? Why did you fail to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him violently.

Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?

When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.’”

Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”

On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.

…and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them

So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,

Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?

I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.

I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me.

Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?

Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

Of David. Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me.

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.

Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.

He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.

Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.

Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.

…for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

…for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.

…do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,

Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.

By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.

Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.

The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!

Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again.