Arbah is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known primarily as the progenitor of the Anakim, a race of giants mentioned in the Bible. His name is associated with the ancient city of Hebron, which is sometimes referred to as Kiriath Arba, meaning "City of Arbah." This connection underscores his importance and influence in the region.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 14:15 : "Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath Arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war." This verse highlights Arbah's prominence among the Anakim, indicating that he was considered the greatest among them. The renaming of Hebron to Kiriath Arba signifies his lasting legacy.

2. Joshua 15:13 : "According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah: Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak)." This passage connects Arbah directly to the lineage of the Anakim, as the father of Anak, further establishing his role as a patriarchal figure.

3. Joshua 21:11 : "They gave them Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, along with its surrounding pasturelands. Arba was the father of Anak." This verse reiterates the allocation of Hebron to the Levites, emphasizing its historical and spiritual significance, with Arbah's name serving as a reminder of its ancient roots.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Arbah's association with the Anakim places him within the context of the Canaanite tribes that inhabited the land prior to the Israelite conquest. The Anakim were known for their formidable size and strength, often described as giants. This portrayal is consistent with the accounts of the spies sent by Moses, who reported seeing giants in the land (Numbers 13:33).

The city of Hebron, or Kiriath Arba, holds a central place in biblical history. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and served as a significant location for the patriarchs. Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation, resided in Hebron, and it became a burial site for him and his descendants (Genesis 23:2, 19).

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Arbah's mention in the Bible serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites. Despite the formidable presence of the Anakim and their cities, God assured the Israelites of victory and possession of the land. The eventual conquest and settlement of Hebron by Caleb, a faithful follower of God, exemplifies the triumph of faith and obedience over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Arbah's legacy, therefore, is intertwined with the narrative of God's faithfulness to His people, as well as the themes of inheritance and divine providence that run throughout the biblical text.Arbah

Hebron, or Kirjath-Arba, as "the city of Arbah" is always rendered elsewhere. (Genesis 35:27)

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... wear underneath their garments a small square, with fringes, called the little tallith
(from "talal," to overshadow or cover), or the "arbah canphoth" (four ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... Jacob went thence and came to Isaac his father into Mamre the city of Arbah,
that is Hebron, in which dwelled Abraham and Isaac. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... How he opened the pit the interpreters do not tell us, but the "smoke" was his false
teaching. Out of the pit came the locusts. Arbah in Hebrew means a locust. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Arbah (1 Occurrence)
...Arbah (1 Occurrence). Genesis 35:27 And Jacob came to Isaac his father to Mamre,
to the city of Arbah (which is Hebron) where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. (WBS) ...
/a/arbah.htm - 6k

Arba (9 Occurrences)

/a/arba.htm - 10k

Arbanus (1 Occurrence)

/a/arbanus.htm - 6k

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