Lexical Summary arba: four, fours, fourth Original Word: אַרְבַּע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance four Masculine oarbaah {ar-baw-aw'}; from raba'; four -- four. see HEBREW raba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition four NASB Translation 1,254* (4), 1,400* (2), 14,000* (1), 14,700* (1), 151,450* (1), 186,400* (1), 2,400* (2), 22,034* (1), 24* (1), 24,000* (15), 284* (1), 324* (1), 35,400* (2), 4,000* (3), 4,500* (8), 4,600* (2), 400* (5), 400,000* (3), 410* (1), 42,360* (2), 435* (2), 44,760* (1), 45,400* (1), 450* (2), 454* (2), 468* (1), 470,000* (1), 5,400* (1), 53,400* (3), 54,400* (3), 57,400* (2), 64,300* (1), 64,400* (2), 74* (2), 74,600* (2), any of their four (1), four (167), four things (1), four-fifths* (1), four-footed* (1), fours (4), fourteen* (17), fourteenth* (23), fourth (4), thirty-four* (1), twenty-four* (3), twenty-fourth* (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. אַרְבַּע, אַרְבָּעָה316 noun masculine and feminine four (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; MI8 ארבען = 40; Phoenician ארבע, Punic ארבעת, four; so Assyrian arba'u (rarely irba°), irbitti; Arabic 1 without other number: a. אַרְבַּע (1) before feminine plural noun Jeremiah 15:3; Exodus 25:12 (P) + 101 t., including אַמּוֺת ׳א Deuteronomy 3:11 5t. (but also בָּאַמָּה ׳א four (in) cubit(s) Exodus 26:2,8; Exodus 36:9; 1 Kings 7:27 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 7:38), and מֵאוֺת ׳א = 400 Genesis 11:13 55t. (2) ׳א before dual רַנְלָ֑יִם Leviticus 11:23, רַגְלָיו Exodus 25:26. (3) before collective, צאֹן ׳א Exodus 21:37 (E); רִבּוֺא ׳א = 40,000 Ezra 2:64 = Nehemiah 7:66. (4) rare and late, after feminine plural noun ׳עָרִים א Joshua 19:7 (P); after feminine singular noun construct לְ ׳בִּשְׁנַת א 1 Kings 22:41; Zechariah 7:1; 2Chronicles 3:2. — ׳קִרְיַת א, see this, and II. אַרְבַּע below (5) noun omitted Ezekiel 43:15b Proverbs 30:15,18 (Kt, see above), Proverbs 30:21; Daniel 8:8,22; עַלאַֿרְבַּ֑ל (that is רגלים = on all fours Leviticus 11:20,21,27,42. b. אַרְבָּעָה (1) before masculine plural noun Genesis 2:10 (J), Genesis 14:9; Exodus 25:34 21t., + חֳדָשִׁים ׳יָמִים (וְ)א Judges 19:2; 1 Samuel 27:7; also פָנִים ׳א ׳א distributive Ezekiel 10:21. (2) late, after masculine plural noun 1 Chronicles 23:10. (3) noun omitted, Amos 1:3,6,9 15t., .+ (as predicate of masculine plural noun) Exodus 27:16 (twice in verse); Exodus 38:19 (twice in verse); also ׳בְּא, (that is יוֺם) Zechariah 7:1 = ordinal, on the fourth (day). c. אַרְבַּ֫עַת (1) before masculine plural noun Judges 11:40; 1 Kings 7:32 11t. (not Ezekiel 7:2, see above), + אֲלָפִים ׳א = 4000, 1 Samuel 4:2 14t. (2) before collective הַבָּקָר Numbers 7:7. (3) noun omitted 2 Samuel 21:22. (4) with suffix, after plural noun, = the four of them, Ezekiel 1:8,10 (3 t. in verse) + 6 t. Ezekiel; Daniel 1:17 these boys, the four of them. d. dual אַרְבַּעְתָּ֑יִם 2 Samuel 12:6 = four-fold Ges§ 97h Kö11. l, 227, but read שִׁבְעָתָ֑יִם ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Kmp Bu HPS. 2 with other number: a.-1אַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה = 14, (a) before feminine singular noun, שָׁנָה b.20+ (וְׅ4#NAME? 1 Kings 15:33; 1 Chronicles 23:4 13t. 1 Chronicles 27; + plural noun Numbers 7:88; noun omitted 2 Samuel 21:20 predicate "" 1 Chronicles 20:6; Nehemiah 7:23; 420#NAME? Numbers 25:9; = 24th, ׳וְא ׳יוֺם ע Haggai 1:15; Haggai 1:18; Zechariah 1:7; Nehemiah 9:1; Daniel 10:4, יוֺם omitted Haggai 2:10,20, and (׳וְע ׳א) 1 Chronicles 24:18; 1 Chronicles 25:31. c. other tens + 4, 1 Chronicles 7:7; 1 Chronicles 5:18 (+ singular noun), Ezra 2:15 7t.; 4 + tens + שָׁנָה Genesis 11:16, + אֶלֶף1000 Numbers 1:27,29; Numbers 2:4,6; Numbers 26:25,43. — See Köii. 1, § 106. רבע (see Biblical Hebrew אַרְבַּע, רְבִיעִי, √ רבע). Topical Lexicon אַרְבַּע (arbaʿ) – Four Scope of Occurrence The cardinal number “four” appears roughly three hundred eighteen times across the Hebrew Scriptures, permeating narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic literature. Its distribution demonstrates that “four” functions both as a simple count and as a theological marker signaling completeness within the created order—especially in relation to the world’s breadth (directions, winds, corners), the stability of structures (corners, pillars, horns), and the fullness of appointed times (generational cycles, festival arrangements). Creation and the Pattern of Completeness Day four marks the placement of the sun, moon, and stars “to separate the day from the night, and to serve as signs for seasons and days and years” (Genesis 1:14-19). The created luminaries anchor human timekeeping, underscoring that the number four stands at the intersection of heaven’s order and earth’s rhythms. The river of Eden divides into “four headstreams” (Genesis 2:10-14), spreading life-giving waters to the whole land, another portrayal of wholeness radiating in all directions. Covenant History and Generational Promises Yahweh foretold that Israel would return from Egypt “in the fourth generation” (Genesis 15:16), demonstrating that four generations constitute a complete cycle of family history before divine purposes ripen. Similar generational counting appears in Exodus 20:5-6, where covenant blessings extend “to a thousand generations,” but iniquity visits “to the third and fourth generation,” the latter phrase conveying a limit set by God’s righteous governance. Structural and Ritual Uses • Tabernacle and Temple: The bronze altar had “four horns, one at each of its four corners” (Exodus 27:2). The Ark’s rings accepted “four gold rings” for poles (Exodus 25:12). These fours establish perfect stability for holy furniture. Judgment and Universal Reach Prophets employ “four” to depict judgments that envelop the earth: Worship and Visionary Symbols Ezekiel’s inaugural vision centers on “four living creatures,” each with “four faces” and “four wings” (Ezekiel 1:5-6). Their wheels are “a wheel within a wheel” moving in all four directions without turning, picturing unhindered divine sovereignty. Revelation later echoes this motif, uniting Old and New Testament imagery. Wisdom Literature’s Rhetorical Fours Proverbs employs grouped quatrains to concentrate insight: “There are four things on earth that are small, yet they are exceedingly wise” (Proverbs 30:24-28). The cadence engrains memory and signals complete illustration. Everyday Enumeration From “four kings” battling in Genesis 14:9 to Job’s “four messengers” reporting successive calamities (Job 1:13-19), the number four simply counts people, animals, years, or measures. Yet even mundane uses reinforce the undercurrent of totality: four rulers comprise a coalition, four sides finish an enclosure, four years complete a vineyard’s consecration (Leviticus 19:24). Typological and New Covenant Reflections While the Old Testament itself speaks, later Scripture and church teaching see harmony: the four corners of the earth anticipate the universal scope of Christ’s Gospel, eventually written and preached through four canonical accounts. The sacrificial altar’s four horns foreshadow the cross spanning every direction with atoning reach. The fourth watch of the night (Matthew 14:25) becomes the hour of Christ’s approach to fearful disciples—strength for ministry in the darkest portion before dawn. Ministry Applications 1. Mission: “from the four winds” (Ezekiel 37:9) the Spirit breathes life; the church is sent to the “ends of the earth,” encouraging prayers that encompass all directions. Conclusion אַרְבַּע threads quietly but powerfully through Scripture, portraying God’s orderly creation, comprehensive judgment, and all-embracing redemption. Whether counting corners, winds, horns, or generations, the repeated appearance of “four” assures readers that nothing lies outside the reach of the Lord who fills heaven and earth. Forms and Transliterations אַ֝רְבַּ֗ע אַרְבַּ֑ע אַרְבַּ֔ע אַרְבַּ֖ע אַרְבַּ֖עַת אַרְבַּ֗ע אַרְבַּ֙עַת֙ אַרְבַּ֛ע אַרְבַּ֣ע אַרְבַּ֣עַת אַרְבַּ֤ע אַרְבַּ֤עַת אַרְבַּ֥ע אַרְבַּ֥עַת אַרְבַּ֧ע אַרְבַּ֨ע אַרְבַּֽע־ אַרְבַּֽע׃ אַרְבַּע֙ אַרְבַּע֩ אַרְבַּעְתָּ֔ם אַרְבַּעַת֩ אַרְבַּע־ אַרְבָּ֣עָה אַרְבָּעָ֑ה אַרְבָּעָ֔ה אַרְבָּעָ֖ה אַרְבָּעָ֣ה אַרְבָּעָ֤ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה אַרְבָּעָ֧ה אַרְבָּעָ֨ה אַרְבָּעָֽה׃ אַרְבָּעָה֙ אַרְבָּעָה֩ אַרְבַּ֖ע ארבע ארבע־ ארבע׃ ארבעה ארבעה׃ ארבעת ארבעתם בְּאַרְבַּ֜עַת בְּאַרְבַּ֤ע בְּאַרְבַּ֥ע בְּאַרְבַּע֙ בְּאַרְבַּע֩ בְּאַרְבָּעָ֛ה בְּאַרְבָּעָ֣ה בְּאַרְבָּעָ֤ה בְּאַרְבָּעָ֥ה בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ בארבע בארבעה בארבעת וְ֝אַרְבָּעָ֗ה וְ֝אַרְבָּעָ֗ה וְאַרְבַּ֔ע וְאַרְבַּ֖ע וְאַרְבַּ֣ע וְאַרְבַּ֣עַת וְאַרְבַּ֤ע וְאַרְבַּ֤עַת וְאַרְבַּ֥ע וְאַרְבַּ֥עַת וְאַרְבַּ֧עַת וְאַרְבַּע֙ וְאַרְבַּע־ וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה וְאַרְבָּעָ֧ה וְאַרְבָּעָֽה׃ וְאַרְבָּעָה֒ וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ וְאַרְבָּעָה֩ וְאַרְבָּעָה֮ וּבְאַרְבַּע֩ וּבְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה וארבע וארבע־ וארבעה וארבעה׃ וארבעת ובארבע ובארבעה כְּאַרְבַּ֞ע כְּאַרְבַּ֣ע כְּאַרְבַּ֤ע כְּאַרְבַּ֥ע כְּאַרְבַּ֥עַת כארבע כארבעת לְאַרְבַּ֖ע לְאַרְבַּ֣ע לְאַרְבַּ֥ע לְאַרְבַּ֥עַת לְאַרְבַּ֨ע לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֑ם לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֑ן לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֔ם לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֖ם לְאַרְבַּעְתָּֽם׃ לְאַרְבַּעְתָּֽן׃ לְאַרְבָּעָ֤ה לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה לארבע לארבעה לארבעת לארבעתם לארבעתם׃ לארבעתן לארבעתן׃ מֵֽאַרְבַּע֙ מֵאַרְבַּ֖ע מֵאַרְבַּ֤ע מארבע ’ar·ba‘ ’ar·ba‘- ’ar·ba‘·tām ’ar·bā·‘āh ’ar·ba·‘aṯ ’arba‘ ’arba‘- ’arbā‘āh ’arba‘aṯ ’arba‘tām arBa arbaAh arBaat arbaTam bə’arba‘ bə’arbā‘āh bə’arba‘aṯ bə·’ar·ba‘ bə·’ar·bā·‘āh bə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ bearBa bearbaAh bearBaat kə’arba‘ kə’arba‘aṯ kə·’ar·ba‘ kə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ kearBa kearBaat lə’arba‘ lə’arbā‘āh lə’arba‘aṯ lə’arba‘tām lə’arba‘tān lə·’ar·ba‘ lə·’ar·ba‘·tām lə·’ar·ba‘·tān lə·’ar·bā·‘āh lə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ learBa learbaAh learBaat learbaTam learbaTan mê’arba‘ mê·’ar·ba‘ mearBa ū·ḇə·’ar·ba‘ ū·ḇə·’ar·bā·‘āh ūḇə’arba‘ ūḇə’arbā‘āh uvearBa uvearbaAh vearBa vearbaAh vearBaat wə’arba‘ wə’arba‘- wə’arbā‘āh wə’arba‘aṯ wə·’ar·ba‘ wə·’ar·ba‘- wə·’ar·bā·‘āh wə·’ar·ba·‘aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:10 HEB: יִפָּרֵ֔ד וְהָיָ֖ה לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה רָאשִֽׁים׃ NAS: it divided and became four rivers. KJV: and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. INT: divided and became four rivers Genesis 11:13 Genesis 11:15 Genesis 11:16 Genesis 11:17 Genesis 14:5 Genesis 14:9 Genesis 15:13 Genesis 23:15 Genesis 23:16 Genesis 31:41 Genesis 32:6 Genesis 33:1 Genesis 46:22 Genesis 47:24 Exodus 12:6 Exodus 12:18 Exodus 12:40 Exodus 12:41 Exodus 22:1 Exodus 25:12 Exodus 25:12 Exodus 25:26 Exodus 25:26 Exodus 25:26 318 Occurrences |