רְבִיעִי (re.vi.ay)
re.vi.ay
fourth
A:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:A
Word Overview
The word revi’i means simply "fourth." It is an ordinal number used in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament to mark sequence or position. In Scripture, it appears five times, primarily within the book of Daniel, where it helps structure visions and lists.
This term functions as a straightforward marker of order, distinguishing the fourth item in a series from the first, second, or third. Its usage is practical rather than poetic, serving to clarify the arrangement of elements in Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams or Daniel’s own prophetic accounts. The word carries no hidden theological weight beyond its numerical precision.
Because it appears almost exclusively in Daniel, revi’i anchors the reader in the specific chronological or structural framework of that book’s Aramaic narrative. It reminds us that biblical visions often rely on clear ordering to convey their meaning, ensuring that each part of the vision is recognized in its proper place.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word revi’i simply means "fourth." In the Aramaic sections of Daniel, it acts as a clear marker of order. It helps structure visions and lists, ensuring each element is recognized in its proper place. This numerical precision grounds the reader in the specific framework of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and Daniel’s prophetic accounts.
While the term itself carries no hidden theological weight, it reminds us that biblical visions often rely on clear sequencing to convey their meaning. By marking the fourth item in a series, the text distinguishes it from what came before, highlighting its unique role in the unfolding narrative. This clarity allows readers to follow complex symbolic imagery with confidence.
When you encounter this word, consider how God’s messages are often structured for our understanding. The careful ordering of events and symbols in Scripture invites us to pay attention to detail. It reassures us that even in mysterious visions, there is a deliberate design that guides the faithful through uncertainty toward hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fourth/ the2×
- fourth2×
- <the>/ fourth2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רְבִיעָ֣יְתָ֔/א2×
- רְבִיעָ/אָה֙1×
- רְבִ֣יעָאָ֔ה1×
- רְֽבִיעָאָ֡ה1×
- רְֽבִיעָ/אָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 2:40
The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.
This verse uses the word to identify the fourth kingdom as strong like iron, emphasizing its power to subdue all things.
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Daniel 3:25
He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Here the term highlights the unexpected presence of a fourth figure in the fire, whose appearance is like a son of the gods.
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Daniel 7:23
“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
The word distinguishes the fourth animal as a unique kingdom that devours and breaks pieces, setting it apart from previous empires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word revi’i mean?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Does revi’i have a deeper theological meaning?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that…
Daniel 3:25He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of…
Daniel 7:7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…
Daniel 7:19“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly…
Daniel 7:23“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and…