Kebīr is interpreted in eight ways:
1. Kebīr is used in the sense of "severe"; as in the following verses:
Whoever among you does wrong, We will make him taste a kebīr (that is, severe) punishment. (al-Furqān 25:19)
But it does not increase them except in kebīr (that is, severe) rebellion. (al-Isrāʾ 17:60)
You will ascend with a kebīr elevation (that is, you will prevail with a severe victory). (al-Isrāʾ 17:4)
So strive against them with the Qur'an a kebīr (that is, severe) striving. (al-Furqān 25:52)
2. By the term al-Kebīr, old age/elderliness is meant; as in the following verses:
Our father is a kebīr (that is, elderly) shaykh. (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:23)
So that old age (kibar, that is, elderliness) may befall him... (al-Baqara 2:266)
3. Al-Kebīr is used not in terms of age, but in terms of opinion and status, meaning "great/prominent"; as in the following verses:
Their kebīr (that is, the brother who is advanced in opinion and status—though he was not the eldest in age) said... (Yūsuf 12:80)
Indeed, he is your kebīr (that is, he is the most knowledgeable among you in magic, the most advanced in magic. Otherwise, he was not the eldest among them in age). (Ṭā-Hā 20:71)
A similar usage is found in Sūrat al-Shuʿarāʾ.
4. Al-Kebīr is used in the sense of "much" (al-kathīr); as in the following verses:
Do not be reluctant to write it, whether it is ṣaghīr (that is, little) or kebīr (that is, much). (al-Baqara 2:282)
Whatever they spend, whether ṣaghīr (that is, little) or kebīr (that is, much)... (al-Tawba 9:121)
5. Al-Kebīr is used in the sense of "ʿaẓīm" (very great, magnificent); as in the following verses:
He is kebīr (that is, most magnificent, most great), the Most Exalted. (al-Raʿd 13:9)
Indeed, Allah is al-ʿAlī (that is, the Most High; there is nothing higher than Him), kebīr (that is, most magnificent/most great; there is nothing greater than Him). (al-Nisāʾ 4:34)
There are many similar statements in the Qur'an.
6. Al-Kibriyāʾ is used in the sense of "dominion/sovereignty and authority"; as in the following verses:
(Pharaoh said to Moses:) "Have you come so that kibriyāʾ (that is, dominion and authority) may belong to you two in the land?!" (Yūnus 10:78)
To Him belongs the kibriyāʾ (that is, dominion and authority) in the heavens and the earth. (al-Jāthiya 45:37)
7. The word al-Kebīr is used in the sense of "burdensome/heavy"; as in the following verses:
If their turning away is kebīr [kabura] (that is, burdensome) for you... (al-Anʿām 6:35)
If my remaining among you and my reminding you of Allah's verses is kebīr [kabura] (that is, burdensome) for you... (Yūnus 10:71)
8. The word kebīr is used in the sense of "long/lasting, continuing"; as in the following verse:
You are only in a kebīr (that is, prolonged, continuing) misguidance. (al-Mulk 67:9)