Lexical Summary rebii: fourth Original Word: רְבִיעַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fourth (Aramaic) corresponding to rbiy'iy -- fourth. see HEBREW rbiy'iy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to rebii Definition fourth NASB Translation fourth (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רְבִיעִי] adjective ordinal number fourth; — feminine absolute רביעיא Kt, רְבִיעָאָה Qr (K§ 66, 1) Daniel 2:40; Daniel 3:25; Daniel 7:7,23; emphatic רְבִיעָֽיְתָא Daniel 7:19; Daniel 7:23. רַבְרְבִין etc. see רַב above רַבְרְבָן see רבב. Topical Lexicon Overview רְבִיעַי appears six times in the Aramaic-portion of Daniel and always designates something “fourth” that is pivotal to the narrative or vision. Its usage clusters around two themes: a fourth kingdom that dominates world history and a fourth figure who delivers the faithful. Occurrences • Daniel 2:40 – “Then there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron…” The Fourth Kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Daniel 2:40) In the statue vision, the “fourth kingdom” is characterized by iron—unyielding strength that “crushes and shatters all things.” Historically this aligns with Rome’s unrivaled military might and cultural dominance, yet prophetically it foreshadows a final world system that will exist at Christ’s return (Daniel 2:44). The iron elements of feet mixed with clay anticipate internal brittleness, explaining why the kingdom ultimately fragments before the stone “cut without human hands” smashes it. The Fourth Beast in Daniel’s Night Visions (Daniel 7:7, 19, 23) Daniel’s separate vision amplifies the earlier dream. The fourth beast is “different” from its predecessors, bearing iron teeth and ten horns. It represents the same imperial phase seen in chapter 2 but from heaven’s viewpoint: brutal, blasphemous, and ultimately slated for divine judgment. Daniel 7:23 explicitly equates this beast with “a fourth kingdom,” strengthening the interpretive link between chapters 2 and 7 and underscoring Scripture’s internal consistency. The ten horns parallel the toes of mixed iron and clay, pointing to a final confederation of rulers that will culminate in Antichrist’s brief reign before the Ancient of Days intervenes (Daniel 7:26–27). The Fourth Man in the Furnace (Daniel 3:25) Contrasting the oppressive fourth kingdom/beast, the “fourth man” appears as deliverer. Nebuchadnezzar recognizes Him as “a son of the gods,” a theophany that prefigures the incarnation—God walking among His people in their fiery trial. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerge unscathed, illustrating that divine presence trumps imperial power. This scene anticipates Isaiah 43:2 and ultimately Jesus Christ, who “was made flesh” (John 1:14) and promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Eschatological Implications 1. Continuity of Revelation: Chapters 2 and 7 give complementary angles on the same prophetic timeline, reinforcing the reliability of biblical prophecy. Practical Ministry Applications • Courage under Persecution: Like the exiles in Babylon, modern believers can trust the presence of the “fourth man” in every furnace of affliction. Forms and Transliterations רְֽבִיעָאָ֔ה רְֽבִיעָאָ֡ה רְבִ֣יעָאָ֔ה רְבִיעָ֣יְתָ֔א רְבִיעָאָה֙ רביעאה רביעיתא rə·ḇî·‘ā·’āh rə·ḇî·‘ā·yə·ṯā rəḇî‘ā’āh rəḇî‘āyəṯā reViaAh reviAyeTaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:40 HEB: [רְבִיעָיָה כ] (רְבִ֣יעָאָ֔ה ק) תֶּהֱוֵ֥א NAS: Then there will be a fourth kingdom KJV: And the fourth kingdom shall be INT: kingdom fourth shall be strong Daniel 3:25 Daniel 7:7 Daniel 7:19 Daniel 7:23 Daniel 7:23 6 Occurrences |
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