רְבִיעִי (re.vi.i)
re.vi.i
fourth
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 51 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word rebîyʻîy simply means "fourth," functioning as an ordinal number to mark position in a sequence. It appears fifty-one times across the Old Testament, with notable usage in genealogies in Chronicles and chronological markers in Jeremiah. The term is straightforward, serving primarily to order events or lineage rather than to convey complex theological symbolism.
Its meaning extends slightly into fractions and spatial descriptions. In Exodus 29:40, it describes "a fourth part" of an ephah, indicating a specific quantity. Similarly, Ezekiel 48:20 uses the related form rebuaʿ to describe land as "four-square," highlighting a geometric shape defined by four equal sides. These usages show the word’s practical application in measuring time, space, and portions.
The root of the word connects to the number four, reinforcing its role as a basic counting term. While it lacks the rich metaphorical weight of some other biblical vocabulary, its consistent presence helps readers track the precise timeline of Israel’s history and the structure of temple measurements. It grounds the narrative in tangible reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rebîyʻîy simply means "fourth." It is an ordinal number used to mark a specific position in a sequence. You will find it in genealogies, chronological markers, and descriptions of temple measurements. It grounds the biblical narrative in tangible reality, helping readers track the precise timeline of Israel’s history.
This precision matters because it shows that God cares about the details of time and order. In Exodus 29:40, for example, the text specifies "the fourth part" of an ephah of flour and oil. This exact measure was part of a daily offering to Yahweh. It reminds us that worship involves careful attention to what we give.
When you read these numbers in Scripture, they are not just random data points. They reflect a structured world created by God. Whether it is the fourth day of creation or the fourth generation of a family line, these markers invite you to see the reliability of God’s word across generations. His plans unfold with clarity and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 51 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ fourth24×
- the/ fourth11×
- <the> fourth of4×
- fourth2×
- with/ [the] fourth of1×
- the/ fourth [month]1×
- and/ the/ fourth [king]1×
- and/ a fourth1×
- and/ [was] the/ fourth1×
- and/ [the] fourth of1×
- a fourth [generation]1×
- a fourth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/רְבִיעִ֔י4×
- הָֽ/רְבִעִ֔ית3×
- הָֽ/רְבִיעִ֔י3×
- הָ/רְבִיעִֽי\׃3×
- הָ/רְבִיעִ֖י3×
- רְבִיעִ֥ת2×
- הָֽ/רְבִיעִ֔ית2×
- הָ/רְבִיעִ֡י2×
- הָ/רְבִיעִ֔ת2×
- רְבִעִֽית\׃1×
- רְבִעִ֥ית1×
- רְבִעִ֣ית1×
Key Verses
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Genesis 1:19
There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
This verse marks the completion of the fourth day of creation, showing the orderly progression of time in God's work.
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Exodus 29:40
and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering.
The phrase "fourth part" specifies the exact quantity of oil and wine required for the daily drink offering, highlighting precision in worship.
-
Genesis 15:16
In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”
Here "fourth generation" indicates a specific timeframe for the return to Canaan, demonstrating God's long-term plan despite delays.
-
I Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build Yahweh’s house.
This reference places the start of Solomon's temple construction in the fourth year of his reign, anchoring Israel's history in a clear timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word rebîyʻîy mean?
Where does this word appear most often?
Does "fourth" have special symbolic meaning in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (51 verses across 16 books)
Genesis 3 verses
There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
Genesis 2:14The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the…
Genesis 15:16In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”