רְבִיעִי
fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
Definition
The Hebrew word רְבִיעִי is an ordinal number meaning 'fourth.' It is used to indicate position in a sequence, such as the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:19) or the fourth generation (Genesis 15:16). It also functions as a fraction, meaning 'a fourth part' or 'quarter,' as seen in measurements for the tabernacle (Exodus 28:20) and agricultural offerings (Leviticus 19:24). In some contexts, it describes something with four sides, like the 'foursquare' altar in Ezekiel 43:16.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 53 times across the Pentateuch, historical books, prophets, and writings. It is most frequently used in narrative and legal texts to denote sequence (e.g., the fourth son, the fourth month) or precise fractional measurements, especially in Exodus and Leviticus regarding the tabernacle and offerings. A notable pattern is its use in structuring time (days, years, generations) and sacred space (dimensions of objects).
Etymology
Derived from the root רָבַע (H7251, rābaʿ), meaning 'to lie down' or 'to square,' which is also the root for the cardinal number 'four' (אַרְבַּע, ʼarbaʿ). The ordinal form רְבִיעִי follows a common Hebrew pattern for creating sequence numbers, directly relating to the concept of fourfold division or position.
Semantic Range
The concept of 'fourth' holds theological significance in structuring divine order. The fourth day of creation establishes the celestial markers for seasons and sacred times (Genesis 1:14-19). The 'fourth generation' in God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:16) underscores His precise timing in judgment and fulfillment. Its use in the measurements of the tabernacle and altar points to the perfection and completeness of God's prescribed worship, enriching our understanding of biblical symbolism and God's intentional design.
In ancient Israelite culture, precise sequencing and measurements were vital for religious observance, agriculture, and social structure. The fractional use of 'a fourth' in offerings (Leviticus 23:13) and temple dimensions reflected standard units of volume and length, integral to economic and ritual life. The idea of a 'foursquare' object conveyed stability and completeness, a concept familiar in ancient Near Eastern architecture and symbolism.
אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʿ, H702) — The cardinal number 'four,' denoting quantity rather than sequence. רְבִעִי (rᵉbiʻîy, H7243) — A variant spelling of the same word with identical meaning.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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