Lexical Summary reba: Quarter, fourth part Original Word: רֶבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fourth part, side, square From raba'; a fourth (part or side) -- fourth part, side, square. see HEBREW raba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as arba Definition fourth part, four sides (pl.) NASB Translation directions (2), fourth (1), one-fourth (1), sides (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רֶ֫בַע noun masculineEzekiel 1:8 1 fourth part. 2 plural four sides; — 1 ׳ר construct, fourth part, of shekel 1 Samuel 9:8, of hin Exodus 29:40. 2 in Ezekiel, plural suffix four sides (אַרְבַּעַת always preceding): רְבָעָיו Ezekiel 43:16, רְבָעֶיהָ Ezekiel 43:17; רִבְעֵיהֶם Ezekiel 1:8; Ezekiel 10:11, הֶן- Ezekiel 1:17. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew רֶבַע (rebaʿ) appears eight times, uniting two main ideas: the fractional “quarter” and the spatial concept of “four‐sided” or “four directions.” These paired senses cluster around worship, prophetic vision, and practical provision, revealing a consistent biblical emphasis on wholeness, balance, and completeness expressed through the number four. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Tabernacle Worship (Exodus 29:40) “With the first lamb you are to offer … a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine.” The priestly routine required precise measurement. The “quarter” portion underscored God’s demand for ordered obedience in daily sacrifices, foreshadowing the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood would inaugurate the true and final ministry of reconciliation. 2. Prophetic Hospitality (1 Samuel 9:8) “Look,” said the servant, “I happen to have a quarter shekel of silver.” Saul’s servant employs a “quarter” shekel to secure Samuel’s guidance. The fraction reminds the reader that genuine spiritual insight is never bought outright; rather, humble offerings open doors for divine direction. The narrative prefaces Saul’s anointing, illustrating how God uses small, exact portions to advance His larger redemptive purposes. 3. Visionary Movement of the Living Creatures (Ezekiel 1:8; 1:17; 10:11) “When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved.” (Ezekiel 1:17) The word marks the fourfold symmetry of the cherubim and their wheels. Their un‐turning motion proclaims the omnidirectional reach of God’s sovereignty. Every quarter of creation lies within the compass of His glory; none escape His watchful presence. 4. Altar Design in the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 43:16–17) “The altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve wide, square in its four corners.” The future altar is meticulously four‐sided. The equal quarters guarantee that sacrifice and worship will face every point of the compass, symbolizing universal access for all nations when Messiah reigns from Jerusalem. Theological Themes • Completeness and Universality — Four in Scripture often signals totality: four winds, four corners of the earth, four living creatures. רֶבַע reinforces that motif, whether as an exact quarter measure or a shape open to every direction. The term points to the universality of God’s covenant concern. • Ordered Worship — Exact quarters of oil and wine teach that worship cannot be left to human whim. Divine prescription safeguards reverence, anticipating the “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1) expected of New Covenant believers. • Provision and Guidance — The servant’s quarter shekel shows how modest yet precise resources, freely offered, invite prophetic insight. Ministry today still depends on thoughtful, proportional giving. • Eschatological Anticipation — Ezekiel’s four‐sided altar previews a coming age of worldwide righteousness. As the Gospel now advances to “the ends of the earth,” the future temple will manifest the fullness of worship that רֶבַע only begins to sketch. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Encourage systematic stewardship: the idea of the “quarter” supports proportionate giving rather than sporadic generosity. Christological Fulfillment The four Gospels, like the four faces of Ezekiel’s creatures, present the multidirectional witness to Jesus Christ. Each Gospel offers a distinct quarter of the portrait, yet together they reveal the whole. In His atoning work, Christ satisfied every demand symbolized by the Tabernacle’s quarter‐measured offerings. He now commands worldwide allegiance, turning hearts from every quarter of the earth toward the true altar of His cross. Summary רֶבַע unites fractional exactness with fourfold expansiveness, moving from the Tabernacle’s measured libations through Samuel’s humble gift to Ezekiel’s cosmic vision and future altar. The word assures the reader that God rules every quadrant of creation, receives ordered worship, and supplies precise grace sufficient for every need. Forms and Transliterations רְבִעִ֥ית רְבָעֶ֑יהָ רְבָעָֽיו׃ רִבְעֵיהֶ֑ם רִבְעֵיהֶ֖ן רִבְעֵיהֶם֙ רֶ֖בַע רֶ֣בַע רבע רבעיה רבעיהם רבעיהן רבעיו׃ רבעית re·ḇa‘ rə·ḇā·‘āw rə·ḇā·‘e·hā rə·ḇi·‘îṯ reḇa‘ rəḇā‘āw rəḇā‘ehā rəḇi‘îṯ Reva revaAv revaEiha reviIt riḇ‘êhem riḇ‘êhen riḇ·‘ê·hem riḇ·‘ê·hen riveiHem riveiHenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:40 HEB: בְּשֶׁ֤מֶן כָּתִית֙ רֶ֣בַע הַהִ֔ין וְנֵ֕סֶךְ NAS: mixed with one-fourth of a hin KJV: mingled with the fourth part of an hin INT: oil of beaten one-fourth of a hin A drink Exodus 29:40 1 Samuel 9:8 Ezekiel 1:8 Ezekiel 1:17 Ezekiel 10:11 Ezekiel 43:16 Ezekiel 43:17 8 Occurrences |
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