קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (qir.yat ar.ba)
qir.yat ar.ba
Kiriath-arba
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase qiryat arba refers to an ancient name for Hebron, appearing nine times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Genesis and Joshua. It translates literally as "city of Arba," identifying the settlement with a figure named Arba, who is described in Joshua 14:15 as the greatest among the Anakim. This designation highlights the city’s pre-Israelite identity before it became a central location for the tribe of Judah.
While the name points to a specific individual, scholars note that the structure suggests a meaning of "fourfold city" or "city of quarters," reflecting its layout or significance in the region. The sources indicate this was the older name used before the conquest, after which Hebron became the more common identifier. This shift marks a transition in the biblical narrative from the patriarchal era to the period of tribal settlement.
The occurrence of this name in Genesis 23:2 and Joshua 14:15 anchors the story of Abraham’s purchase of the cave of Machpelah and Caleb’s inheritance of the land. By linking Arba to Hebron, the text preserves a memory of the land’s earlier inhabitants while affirming its place in Israel’s history. The name serves as a historical marker, connecting the patriarchs’ burial site with the later claims of Judah.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Kiriath-arba reminds us that God works through history’s layers. It was the ancient title for Hebron, linking the patriarchs’ burial site to later tribal inheritance. This connection shows how sacred ground holds memory across generations.
When Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah there, he secured a foothold in the promise. Centuries later, Caleb received that same city as his inheritance. The land remained significant, anchoring faith in tangible places.
Your own life has layers too. Past experiences shape your present, just as Hebron’s history shaped Israel’s story. God meets you where you are, using every season to draw you closer to His promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Arba7×
- Kiriath4×
- [was] Kiriath2×
- in/ Kiriath1×
- at/ Kiriath1×
- and/ Kiriath1×
- <the>/ Arba1×
- <the> Arba1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַרְבַּ֛ע4×
- קִרְיַ֣ת3×
- קִרְיַ֥ת2×
- קִרְיַת֩1×
- וְ/קִרְיַ֥ת1×
- הָֽאַרְבַּ֑ע1×
- הָֽ/אַרְבַּע֙1×
- בְּ/קִרְיַ֥ת1×
- בְּ/קִרְיַ֤ת1×
- אַרְבַּ֨ע1×
- אַרְבַּ֔ע1×
- אַרְבַּ֑ע1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 23:2
Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
This verse anchors the patriarchal narrative by establishing Hebron as the site of Sarah’s burial, securing Abraham’s first legal foothold in Canaan.
-
Joshua 14:15
Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.
It explicitly links the old name to Caleb’s inheritance, showing how divine promise persists through generations despite changing political landscapes.
-
Judges 1:10
Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron. (The name of Hebron before that was Kiriath Arba.) They struck Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
This occurrence highlights Judah’s military success against the Anakim, fulfilling the earlier promise that the land would be given to Israel.