Lexical Summary Arba: Arba Original Word: אַרְבַּע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arba The same as arba'; Arba, one of the Anakim -- Arba. see HEBREW arba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpart of the place name Qiryath, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs II. אַרְבַּע proper name, masculine (called הָאָדָם הַגָּדוֺל בָּעֲנָקִים Joshua 14:15, אֲבִי הָעֲנָק Joshua 15:13; compare Joshua 21:11), inferred (erroneous) from proper name, of a location ׳קִרְיַת א (q. v.). Topical Lexicon Etymology and Form אַרְבַּע underlies the Hebrew concept of “four,” appearing in various genders and constructs (masculine אַרְבָּעָה, feminine אַרְבַּע, dual and plural forms, and the derived ‘forty’ אַרְבָּעִים). Although Strong’s 704 is listed separately, the form functions as an orthographic variant rather than a distinct lexical item, hence no stand-alone occurrences. It nevertheless informs the entire family of “four” vocabulary in Scripture. Numeric Symbolism in Scripture 1. Completeness of the created order. Four marks the boundaries of the cosmos—“the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12) and “the four winds of heaven” (Jeremiah 49:36). Historical Narratives • Patriarchal expectation: “In the fourth generation your descendants will return here” (Genesis 15:16), binding Israel’s history to a specific prophetic timetable. Prophetic Imagery Four functions as shorthand for global scope in judgment and restoration: “I will summon all the families of the north” (Jeremiah 1:15), literally “all my four families”; the same breadth is promised for regathering—“from the four quarters of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12). Liturgical and Cultic Usage The bronze altar’s four horns provided atonement refuge (1 Kings 1:50). Four species were waved at the Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:40), portraying wholeness of praise. Priests sprinkled blood “on the four sides of the altar” (Leviticus 1:11), embracing every direction with sacrificial cleansing. New Testament Echoes and Continuity Jesus’ ministry touches every point of the compass: Galilee, Judea, Samaria, and the Decapolis. The Great Commission sends disciples “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In Revelation, four angels restrain the four winds (Revelation 7:1), delaying judgment until the servants of God are sealed, reaffirming divine control over the total creation signified by four. Application for Ministry • Preaching: “Four” invites proclamation of God’s universal reign—no corner of life lies outside His authority. Summary Though Strong’s 704 has no direct verse citation, its concept permeates Scripture. “Four” portrays completeness, stability, and universality within God’s redemptive plan, enriching historical narrative, prophetic vision, and Christian ministry alike. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance lə·’ar·bā·‘āh — 4 Occ.lə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ — 1 Occ. lə·’ar·ba‘·tām — 6 Occ. lə·’ar·ba‘·tān — 4 Occ. mê·’ar·ba‘ — 3 Occ. ū·ḇə·’ar·ba‘ — 2 Occ. ū·ḇə·’ar·bā·‘āh — 1 Occ. wə·’ar·ba‘ — 37 Occ. wə·’ar·bā·‘āh — 44 Occ. wə·’ar·ba·‘aṯ — 12 Occ. ’ar·bə·‘āh — 2 Occ. wə·’ar·ba‘ — 1 Occ. wə·’ar·bə·‘āh — 1 Occ. ’ar·bā·‘îm — 93 Occ. bə·’ar·bā·‘îm — 2 Occ. hā·’ar·bā·‘îm — 3 Occ. kə·’ar·bā·‘îm — 1 Occ. wə·’ar·bā·‘îm — 36 Occ. ’ar·ba‘·tā·yim — 1 Occ. ḵā·’ō·rêḡ — 1 Occ. |
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