Lexical Summary roba: Resting place, quarter Original Word: רֹבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fourth participle From raba'; a quarter -- fourth participle see HEBREW raba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as arba Definition fourth part NASB Translation fourth (1), fourth part (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רֹ֫בַע noun [masculine] fourth part; — ׳ר construct; of Israel Numbers 23:10; of a kab 2 Kings 6:25. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Key ConceptsThe Hebrew noun רֹבַע denotes a “quarter” or “fourth part.” It functions both as a literal unit of quantity (2 Kings 6:25) and as a figurative fraction of a population (Numbers 23:10). In each setting it underscores limitation: scarcity in famine, or the impossibility of fully numbering the covenant people of God. Canonical Occurrences 1. Numbers 23:10 – Balaam exclaims, “Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel?”. The “fourth” is rhetorical, highlighting Israel’s vastness; even a mere quarter proves uncountable. Historical and Literary Contexts Numbers 23 situates Balaam atop the heights of Moab, pressed by Balak to curse Israel. Instead, his oracles bless the nation. The fraction magnifies divine blessing: if a quarter is innumerable, the whole must be immeasurably great, fulfilling Genesis 15:5. 2 Kings 6 describes Samaria’s siege under Ben-hadad of Aram. The quarter-measure exposes the horror of starvation and the high price of what would normally be refuse. The narrative contrasts Israel’s self-inflicted covenant unfaithfulness with the ample provision promised under obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–14). Theological Themes • Covenant Fulfillment and Multiplication Balaam’s astonishment validates God’s oath to Abraham: “I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16). A partial segment already defies calculation, confirming the steadfastness of divine promise despite Israel’s wilderness frailty. • Judgment and Scarcity The siege account embodies covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:53). The quarter-measure stands as a tangible indicator of divine discipline, reminding readers that rebellion contracts abundance to mere fractions. • Divine Sovereignty in Opposite Extremes The same term depicts uncountable blessing and crushing famine, demonstrating the Lord’s prerogative to give or withhold. He “raises up” and He “brings low” (1 Samuel 2:7), using plenty and paucity alike to direct hearts to Himself. Ministry and Homiletical Reflections 1. Perspective on Size and Significance Modern ministry often celebrates large numbers, yet Balaam’s oracle teaches that even a fraction of God’s people surpasses human computation. Faithful shepherding of any subset of the flock participates in God’s immeasurable work. 2. Warning Against Spiritual Starvation The besieged city purchased scraps at exorbitant cost because leaders ignored prophetic warnings (2 Kings 6:31). Congregations today may likewise experience spiritual famine when God’s word is marginalized (Amos 8:11). Pastors must dispense the full counsel, not a quarter-ration of truth. 3. Stewardship and Contentment In both abundance and want, believers are called to contentment (Philippians 4:12–13). The quarter-measure texts encourage gratitude for daily bread and vigilance against complacency in prosperity. Christological Connections Jesus Christ embodies the fullness that fractions only hint at. He multiplies limited loaves until “they all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 14:20), reversing the scarcity of 2 Kings 6. Moreover, Revelation 7:9 envisions a multitude no one can count—echoing Balaam’s theme—gathered through the redemptive work of the Lamb. Practical Application • Measure ministry success by faithfulness rather than numeric scale; the Lord alone tabulates His people. Summary רֹבַע functions as a theological signpost. A quarter of Israel cannot be numbered because divine blessing outruns human arithmetic; a quarter-measure of dove’s dung costs dearly because sin drains resources. Together the passages exhort God’s people to trust His promises, heed His warnings, and rest in His sufficiency revealed fully in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְרֹ֛בַע ורבע רֹ֣בַע רבע rō·ḇa‘ Roa rōḇa‘ veRoa wə·rō·ḇa‘ wərōḇa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 23:10 HEB: וּמִסְפָּ֖ר אֶת־ רֹ֣בַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל תָּמֹ֤ת NAS: Or number the fourth part of Israel? KJV: and the number of the fourth [part] of Israel? INT: of Jacob number the fourth Israel crying 2 Kings 6:25 2 Occurrences |
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