Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax. 2. (n.) That which resembles a rib in form or use. 3. (n.) One of the timbers, or bars of iron or steel, that branch outward and upward from the keel, to support the skin or planking, and give shape and strength to the vessel. 4. (n.) A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it. 5. (n.) One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended. 6. (n.) A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth. 7. (n.) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun. 8. (n.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. 9. (n.) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant. 10. (n.) In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like. 11. (n.) A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like. 12. (n.) Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein. 13. (n.) An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support. 14. (n.) A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib. 15. (v. t.) To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth. 16. (v. t.) To enclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RIB (tsela`, tsal`ah; Aramaic `ala`): The Hebrew words designate the "side," "flank," thence the "ribs." They are found thus translated only in connection with the creation of Eve: "He (Yahweh) took one of his (Adam's) ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: and the rib, which Yahweh God had taken from the man, made he (margin "builded he into") a woman" (Genesis 2:21, 22). The Aramaic word is only found in Daniel 7:5. Twice the Revised Version (British and American) uses the word "rib" in a figurative sense of two beams or rafters built in to the ark of the covenant and the altar of incense, on which the golden rings were fastened, which served to carry ark and altar by means of staves (Exodus 30:4; Exodus 37:27). A curious mistranslation has crept into the King James Version, which here follows Jewish commentators or etymologists, in four passages in 2 Samuel (2:23; 3:27; 4:06; 20:10), where the "fifth rib" is mentioned as the place of the body under which spears or swords are thrust, so as to cause lethal wounds. The Hebrew word chomesh, which indeed means "fifth," is here a noun, derived from a root meaning "to be staunch," "stalwart," "stout" "fleshy," "obese" (compare chamush, "armed," "equipped soldier"; Arabic el khamis (el chamis), "the army," which, however, Arabic lexicographers explain as meaning "fivefold," namely, vanguard, right and left wing, center and rear guard). The word is to be translated "abdomen," "belly." the Revised Version (British and American) renders correctly "into the body." H. L. E. Luering

Multi-Version Concordance Rib (5 Occurrences) Genesis 2:22 He made the rib, which Yahweh God had taken from the man, into a woman, and brought her to the man. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. (KJV WBS YLT) 2 Samuel 3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. (KJV WBS YLT) 2 Samuel 4:6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. (KJV WBS YLT) 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. (KJV WBS YLT)