7243. rebii

Lexical Summary

rebii: fourth, four-sided, one-fourth

Original Word: רְבִיעִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: rbiy`iy
Pronunciation: reh-vee-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (reb-ee-ee')
KJV: foursquare, fourth (part)
NASB: fourth, four-sided, one-fourth, square
Word Origin: [from H7251 (רָבַע - square)]

1. fourth
2. (fractionally) a fourth

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

foursquare, fourth part

Or rbiiy {reb-ee-ee'}; from raba'; fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth -- foursquare, fourth (part).

see HEBREW raba'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as arba
Definition
fourth
NASB Translation
four-sided (1), fourth (51), one-fourth (1), square (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

רְבִיעִי masculine, רְבִיעִית

feminine, adjective ordinal number fourth; — masculine רְבִיעִי Genesis 2:14 29t., רְבִעִי 1 Chronicles 24:8; 1 Chronicles 26:11; plural רְבִיעִים 2 Kings 15:12, רְבִעִים 2 Kings 10:30; feminine absolute רְבִיעִית 1 Kings 6:1 3t., רְבִיעִת Leviticus 19:29, רְבִעִית 1 Kings 6:37; 6t. + 1 Kings 6:33 (see below); construct רְבִיעִית Numbers 15:5, רְבִיעִת Exodus 29:40 4t., רְבִעִית Numbers 15:4 2t.; — fourth, usually ׳הָֽר:

1. masculine Genesis 2:14; Genesis 15:16 (JE), also (especially of days, months, sons, etc.) Genesis 1:19; Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13; Numbers 7:30; Numbers 29:23; Joshua 19:17 (all P), Judges 19:5; Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:6; 1 Chronicles 27:7b; 2Chron 20:26; Ezra 8:33; noun omitted 2 Samuel 3:4 = 1 Chronicles 3:2; 1 Chronicles 2:14; 1 Chronicles 3:15; 1 Chronicles 8:2; 1 Chronicles 12:10; 1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 24:8,23; 1 Chronicles 25:11; 1 Chronicles 26:2,4,11; 1 Chronicles 27:7a; Ezra 10:14; Daniel 11:2; that is חֹדֶשׁ Ezekiel 1:1; Zechariah 8:19; plural in בְּנֵי רְבִ(י)עִים sons of fourth (ones), i.e. to the fourth Generation, 2 Kings 10:30; 2 Kings 15:12 (compare [רִבֵּעַ], and [Old Aramaic N¢rab] בני רבע Cook¹⁰⁷).

2. feminine of years, 1 Kings 6:1,37; 2 Kings 18:9; Jeremiah 25:1; Jeremiah 28:1; Jeremiah 36:1; Jeremiah 45:1; Jeremiah 46:2; Jeremiah 51:59; Zechariah 6:8; Leviticus 19:24 (H); מֵאֵת רְבִעִית 1 Kings 6:33, read מְזֻזֹת רְבֻעוֺת ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th Sta Kmp Kit Benz Bur.

3 רְבִיעִית Ezekiel 48:20 four square (read possibly רְבוּעָה).

4 רְבִ(י) עִ(י)ת as noun = fourth part, construct, הַהִין ׳ר Leviticus 23:13 (H), Exodus 29:40; Numbers 15:4,5; Numbers 28:5,7,14; הִיּוֺם ׳ר Nehemiah 9:3a; so absolute (הַיּוֺם omitted) Nehemiah 9:3 b.

Topical Lexicon

Semantic and Literary Profile

The word רְבִיעִי occurs about fifty-five times across the Hebrew Scriptures as the ordinary Hebrew adjective “fourth.” It marks sequence, division, or proportion within narratives, genealogies, cultic schedules, and prophetic time-stamps. Its consistent usage quietly underlines Scripture’s orderly chronology and the covenantal pattern by which God structures worship, governance, and prophetic revelation.

Chronological Markers

1. The fourth month (Tammuz) anchors key historical moments. “In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month on the ninth day of the month, the city was breached” (Jeremiah 39:2; cf. 52:6; 2 Kings 25:3). The same month opens Ezekiel’s inaugural vision: “In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month… the heavens were opened” (Ezekiel 1:1). Zechariah later promises that the “fast of the fourth month” will become a feast of joy (Zechariah 8:19).

2. The fourth year of a king often signals a decisive word from the Lord:
• Solomon’s fourth year begins Temple construction (1 Kings 6:1).
• Jehoiakim’s fourth year is the setting for Jeremiah’s first written scroll (Jeremiah 25:1; 36:1).
• Zedekiah’s fourth year receives a warning against false security (Jeremiah 28:1; 51:59).
• Darius’ fourth year becomes a time for covenant renewal (Zechariah 7:1).

Priestly and Levitical Order

David employed “fourth” repeatedly in arranging Temple ministry:
• “The fourth for Seorim” among priestly courses (1 Chronicles 24:8).
• In the twenty-four orders of musicians, “the fourth fell to Izri” (1 Chronicles 25:9-14).
• Among gatekeepers: “Obed-edom’s sons… the fourth Jephunneh” (1 Chronicles 26:2, 4).
• Levite administrators: “The fourth lot fell to Rephael” (1 Chronicles 26:8-11).

These listings display God-given structure in worship, highlighting that adoration is not random but regulated for the glory of God and the good of His people (compare 1 Corinthians 14:40).

Civil and Military Administration

Under David’s standing army the “fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand” (1 Chronicles 27:7). The consistent use of רְבִיעִי here links liturgical precision with civic discipline, demonstrating the holistic order of a theocratic kingdom.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Contexts

The prophets employ the term to root visions in verifiable history:
• Ezekiel dates multiple oracles by the fourth month or fourth year.
• Jeremiah’s scroll, prepared in Jehoiakim’s fourth year, warns of Babylonian judgment, later fulfilled on the ninth day of the fourth month.
• Daniel’s vision of four earthly kingdoms culminates in a fourth, dreadful beast (Daniel 7:7) — a reminder that God remains sovereign over the whole course of history.

Ritual Fasts and Redemptive Hope

Zechariah 8:19 gathers the “fast of the fourth month” with others to announce future joy. Historically these fasts mourned Jerusalem’s disasters (Jeremiah 39:2); prophetically they anticipate restoration. The transformation from lament to celebration mirrors the gospel pattern of death and resurrection.

Theological Observations

1. Orderly Governance: Whether in worship (priests), warfare (army divisions), or prophecy (dated messages), “fourth” underscores divinely instituted order.
2. Judgment and Mercy: The breached walls of the fourth month showcase judgment, yet the promised feast of the fourth month proclaims mercy.
3. Universality: The number four often signifies the whole created order (four corners, winds). רְבִיעִי therefore hints at God’s comprehensive rule from the sanctuary to world history.

New Testament Echoes

Although the Hebrew term itself does not appear in the New Testament, the thematic threads continue:
• The “fourth watch of the night” when Jesus walks on the sea (Matthew 14:25) displays sovereign authority in a moment of crisis, much like Ezekiel’s fourth-month vision.
• The heavenly throne scene with “four living creatures” (Revelation 4:6) evokes the universality bound up in the number four.

Ministry Implications

Teachers and preachers may trace רְבִיעִי to emphasize:
• The necessity of disciplined structure in corporate worship.
• Historical anchoring of prophecy as a ground for faith.
• The hope that God turns fasts into feasts, signaling the believer’s future joy.

In personal devotion, noting the fourth-month breach alongside the fourth-month vision encourages repentance paired with renewed vision of God’s glory—an abiding pattern for spiritual growth.

Forms and Transliterations

בִּרְבִעִ֥ית בָּֽרְבִיעִי֙ ברביעי ברבעית הָֽרְבִיעִ֑י הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י הָֽרְבִיעִ֞י הָֽרְבִיעִי֙ הָֽרְבִיעִית֙ הָֽרְבִעִ֔ית הָרְבִיעִ֔י הָרְבִיעִ֔ת הָרְבִיעִ֖י הָרְבִיעִ֗י הָרְבִיעִ֛י הָרְבִיעִ֜ית הָרְבִיעִ֡י הָרְבִיעִֽי׃ הָרְבִיעִי֙ הָרְבִעִ֑י הָרְבִעִ֔ית הָרְבִעִ֖ית הָרְבִעִ֗י הָרְבִעִֽי׃ הרביעי הרביעי׃ הרביעית הרביעת הרבעי הרבעי׃ הרבעית וְהָֽרְבִיעִי֙ וְהָרְבִיעִ֖י וּרְבִיעִ֥ת וּרְבִעִית֙ והרביעי ורביעת ורבעית רְבִיעִ֔ים רְבִיעִ֖י רְבִיעִ֗ית רְבִיעִ֣ית רְבִיעִ֣ת רְבִיעִ֥ת רְבִיעִֽי׃ רְבִעִ֔ים רְבִעִ֣ית רְבִעִֽית׃ רביעי רביעי׃ רביעים רביעית רביעת רבעים רבעית רבעית׃ bā·rə·ḇî·‘î bārəḇî‘î bareviI bir·ḇi·‘îṯ birḇi‘îṯ birviIt hā·rə·ḇi·‘î hā·rə·ḇî·‘î hā·rə·ḇi·‘îṯ hā·rə·ḇî·‘iṯ hā·rə·ḇî·‘îṯ hārəḇi‘î hārəḇî‘î hārəḇi‘îṯ hārəḇî‘iṯ hārəḇî‘îṯ hareviI hareviIt rə·ḇî·‘î rə·ḇi·‘îm rə·ḇî·‘îm rə·ḇi·‘îṯ rə·ḇî·‘iṯ rə·ḇî·‘îṯ rəḇî‘î rəḇi‘îm rəḇî‘îm rəḇi‘îṯ rəḇî‘iṯ rəḇî‘îṯ reviI reviIm reviIt ū·rə·ḇi·‘îṯ ū·rə·ḇî·‘iṯ ūrəḇi‘îṯ ūrəḇî‘iṯ ureviIt vehareviI wə·hā·rə·ḇî·‘î wəhārəḇî‘î

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 1:19
HEB: בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם רְבִיעִֽי׃ פ
NAS: and there was morning, a fourth day.
KJV: and the morning were the fourth day.
INT: morning day A fourth

Genesis 2:14
HEB: אַשּׁ֑וּר וְהַנָּהָ֥ר הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י ה֥וּא פְרָֽת׃
NAS: of Assyria. And the fourth river
KJV: of Assyria. And the fourth river
INT: of Assyria river and the fourth he is the Euphrates

Genesis 15:16
HEB: וְד֥וֹר רְבִיעִ֖י יָשׁ֣וּבוּ הֵ֑נָּה
NAS: Then in the fourth generation
KJV: But in the fourth generation
INT: generation the fourth will return here

Exodus 28:20
HEB: וְהַטּוּר֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם
NAS: and the fourth row a beryl
KJV: And the fourth row a beryl,
INT: row and the fourth A beryl and an onyx

Exodus 39:13
HEB: וְהַטּוּר֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֖הַם
NAS: and the fourth row, a beryl,
KJV: And the fourth row, a beryl,
INT: row and the fourth A beryl an onyx

Leviticus 19:24
HEB: וּבַשָּׁנָה֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔ת יִהְיֶ֖ה כָּל־
NAS: But in the fourth year all
KJV: But in the fourth year all the fruit
INT: year the fourth become all

Leviticus 23:13
HEB: וְנִסְכֹּ֥ה יַ֖יִן רְבִיעִ֥ת הַהִֽין׃
NAS: with its drink offering, a fourth of a hin
KJV: thereof [shall be] of wine, the fourth [part] of an hin.
INT: drink of wine A fourth of a hin

Numbers 7:30
HEB: בַּיּוֹם֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י נָשִׂ֖יא לִבְנֵ֣י
NAS: On the fourth day [it was] Elizur
KJV: On the fourth day Elizur
INT: day the fourth leader the son

Numbers 15:4
HEB: עִשָּׂר֔וֹן בָּל֕וּל בִּרְבִעִ֥ית הַהִ֖ין שָֽׁמֶן׃
KJV: mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin
INT: deal mixed the fourth of a hin of oil

Numbers 15:5
HEB: וְיַ֤יִן לַנֶּ֙סֶךְ֙ רְבִיעִ֣ית הַהִ֔ין תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
KJV: And the fourth [part] of an hin
INT: wine the drink and the fourth of a hin shall prepare

Numbers 28:5
HEB: בְּשֶׁ֥מֶן כָּתִ֖ית רְבִיעִ֥ת הַהִֽין׃
NAS: mixed with a fourth of a hin
KJV: mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin
INT: oil of beaten A fourth of a hin

Numbers 28:7
HEB: וְנִסְכּוֹ֙ רְבִיעִ֣ת הַהִ֔ין לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ
NAS: offering with it [shall be] a fourth of a hin
KJV: And the drink offering thereof [shall be] the fourth [part] of an hin
INT: the drink it a fourth of a hin lamb

Numbers 28:14
HEB: הַהִ֣ין לָאַ֗יִל וּרְבִיעִ֥ת הַהִ֛ין לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ
NAS: for the ram and a fourth of a hin
KJV: unto a ram, and a fourth [part] of an hin
INT: of a hin the ram fourth of a hin A lamb

Numbers 29:23
HEB: וּבַיּ֧וֹם הָרְבִיעִ֛י פָּרִ֥ים עֲשָׂרָ֖ה
NAS: Then on the fourth day: ten
KJV: And on the fourth day ten
INT: day the fourth bulls ten

Joshua 19:17
HEB: יָצָ֖א הַגּוֹרָ֣ל הָֽרְבִיעִ֑י לִבְנֵ֥י יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר
NAS: The fourth lot fell
KJV: [And] the fourth lot came out
INT: fell lot the fourth to the sons of Issachar

Judges 19:5
HEB: וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרְבִיעִ֔י וַיַּשְׁכִּ֥ימוּ בַבֹּ֖קֶר
NAS: Now on the fourth day
KJV: And it came to pass on the fourth day,
INT: become day the fourth got the morning

2 Samuel 3:4
HEB: וְהָרְבִיעִ֖י אֲדֹנִיָּ֣ה בֶן־
NAS: and the fourth, Adonijah the son
KJV: And the fourth, Adonijah the son
INT: and the fourth Adonijah the son

1 Kings 6:1
HEB: מִצְרַיִם֩ בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה הָרְבִיעִ֜ית בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ זִ֗ו
NAS: of Egypt, in the fourth year
KJV: of Egypt, in the fourth year
INT: of Egypt year the fourth the month of Ziv

1 Kings 6:33
HEB: שָׁ֑מֶן מֵאֵ֖ת רְבִעִֽית׃
NAS: of the nave four-sided doorposts
KJV: tree, a fourth part [of the wall].
INT: wood of olive four-sided

1 Kings 6:37
HEB: בַּשָּׁנָה֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית יֻסַּ֖ד בֵּ֣ית
NAS: In the fourth year the foundation
KJV: In the fourth year was the foundation
INT: year the fourth the foundation of the house

2 Kings 10:30
HEB: אַחְאָ֑ב בְּנֵ֣י רְבִעִ֔ים יֵשְׁב֥וּ לְךָ֖
NAS: your sons of the fourth generation shall sit
KJV: thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit
INT: of Ahab your sons of the fourth shall sit on

2 Kings 15:12
HEB: לֵאמֹ֔ר בְּנֵ֣י רְבִיעִ֔ים יֵשְׁב֥וּ לְךָ֖
NAS: Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit
KJV: of Israel unto the fourth [generation]. And so it came to pass.
INT: saying your sons to the fourth shall sit on

2 Kings 18:9
HEB: וַֽיְהִ֞י בַּשָּׁנָ֤ה הָֽרְבִיעִית֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
NAS: Now in the fourth year of King
KJV: And it came to pass in the fourth year
INT: become year the fourth of King Hezekiah

1 Chronicles 2:14
HEB: נְתַנְאֵל֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י רַדַּ֖י הַחֲמִישִֽׁי׃
NAS: Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
KJV: Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai
INT: Nethanel the fourth Raddai the fifth

1 Chronicles 3:2
HEB: מֶ֣לֶךְ גְּשׁ֑וּר הָרְבִיעִ֖י אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה בֶן־
NAS: of Geshur; the fourth [was] Adonijah
KJV: of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah
INT: king of Geshur the fourth Adonijah the son

55 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7243
55 Occurrences

bā·rə·ḇî·‘î — 1 Occ.
bir·ḇi·‘îṯ — 1 Occ.
hā·rə·ḇî·‘î — 26 Occ.
hā·rə·ḇî·‘iṯ — 11 Occ.
rə·ḇî·‘î — 2 Occ.
rə·ḇi·‘îm — 2 Occ.
rə·ḇî·‘iṯ — 7 Occ.
ū·rə·ḇî·‘iṯ — 2 Occ.
wə·hā·rə·ḇî·‘î — 3 Occ.