אַרְבַּע (ar.ba)
ar.ba
four
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 231 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew word arba means four, a simple cardinal number that appears frequently in the Old Testament. It functions as both an adjective and a noun, describing specific quantities in narratives about genealogies, census counts, and architectural details. The masculine form is arba’ah, while the feminine form is arba, which is the entry listed here. This distinction allows it to agree grammatically with the nouns it modifies, whether those are people, objects, or time periods.
Beyond basic counting, the sources highlight that this number often carries structural or symbolic weight in biblical literature. For instance, Ezekiel uses it repeatedly to describe the four sides of the temple and the city (Ezekiel 48:16), emphasizing completeness and order. The word also appears in compound forms, such as arba’im, meaning forty, which the lexicons note is often used as a round number or period of time, seen in contexts like the flood waters rising for forty days (Genesis 7:17) or Jonah’s warning to Nineveh.
A notable feature of this term is its occasional use as a proper name. The sources identify Arba as the name of a giant from the Anakim, mentioned in Joshua 14:15 and 15:13. This personal name may derive from the same root, suggesting a connection to the concept of four or perhaps implying strength and stability. Translators consistently render this word as "four" in English, preserving its straightforward numerical meaning without adding theological interpretation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arba simply means four, yet in Scripture it often points to something solid and complete. When Ezekiel describes a temple with four sides, he is showing us God’s order and stability. Numbers like this are not just for counting; they help us see the structure of God’s world.
In Genesis 2:10, we read that one river from Eden became four rivers. This detail reminds us that God’s provision is abundant and reaches far beyond a single place. Even when life feels complicated, we can trust that God creates order out of chaos and provides for our needs in ways that are clear and sufficient.
Whether used for counting years or describing the dimensions of sacred spaces, this number invites us to look at the bigger picture. It encourages patience as we wait on God’s timing and gratitude for the many ways He sustains us throughout our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 231 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- four92×
- and/ four69×
- four-18×
- [the] four9×
- on/ [the] four-6×
- [were] four6×
- on/ [day] four-5×
- [was] four5×
- about/ four4×
- four [things]3×
- and/ [was] four3×
- and/ [the] four3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַרְבַּ֣ע20×
- וְ/אַרְבַּ֥ע17×
- אַרְבָּעָ֥ה16×
- אַרְבָּעָ֖ה16×
- וְ/אַרְבָּעָ֖ה15×
- אַרְבַּ֥ע13×
- וְ/אַרְבָּעָֽה\׃\ \ס9×
- וְ/אַרְבַּע\־7×
- אַרְבָּעָ֧ה6×
- אַרְבַּ֖ע6×
- וְ/אַרְבַּ֣ע5×
- בְּ/אַרְבָּעָ֥ה5×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:10
A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers.
This verse uses the word to describe how one source of life expands into four directions, symbolizing abundant provision from God.
-
Exodus 25:34
and in the lamp stand four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;
Here the number describes the specific design of the lampstand, showing that God cares about the precise details of worship.
-
Genesis 15:13
He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.
This occurrence marks a long period of waiting for Abram’s descendants, highlighting the endurance required in God's promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word arba mean?
Why is the number four important in the Bible?
Where else does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (231 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 14 verses
A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers.
Genesis 11:13Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 11:15Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 11:16Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg.
Genesis 11:17Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and…
Genesis 14:5In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim,…
Genesis 14:9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings…
Genesis 15:13He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will…
Genesis 23:15“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury…
Genesis 23:16Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of…
Genesis 31:41These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for…
Genesis 33:1Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the…
Genesis 46:22These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
Genesis 47:24It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of…