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קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע

𐤒𐤓𐤉𐤕 𐤀𐤓𐤁𐤏

Qireyat Areba

H7153 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קרה, ארבע to call, to gather, to encounter; four

Definition

A toponym meaning 'City of Arba' or potentially 'City of Four.' Primarily designates an ancient city in the southern hill country, later known as Hebron. The term combines 'city' (qiryah) and the personal name 'Arba' (a prominent Anakite figure), though a secondary folk etymology associates it with the numeral 'four.' The name is used exclusively as a place name in Biblical texts and refers to a specific city of significant ancestral and historical importance for the patriarchal and early Israelite periods.

Semantic Range

name of a specific city in the south hill country (later Hebron); city attributed to Arba or associated with the number four; refers primarily to a place of ancestral burial and centrality (patriarchal narratives), administrative center (monarchic), rarely with reference to Anakite heritage

Root / Etymology

A compound of קִרְיָה (qiryah, 'city') and אַרְבַּע (Arba, a personal name, or the numeral 'four'). Most likely, Arba is the eponymous ancestor or clan leader of the Anakim (see Joshua 14:15). The form with the definite article (קִרְיַת הָאַרְבַּע) occurs in some contexts, following normal Hebrew toponymic formation. The root of קִרְיָה is קרה (to meet, encounter, gather), but as a noun it means 'city.' The root of אַרְבַּע is ארבע (to be four), but as a proper name, its original meaning is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע appears primarily in the Pentateuch and Joshua, especially in connection with stories of the patriarchs (e.g., Abraham's burial at Hebron). It is equated with Hebron in several passages (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15). Some ancient sources and later tradition understood it as 'City of Four,' which contributed to legendary explanations regarding four Anakite giants or four quarters of the city (cf. Midrashic and Septuagint traditions). The biblical narrative, especially in Joshua 14:15, prefers 'Arba' as a personal name, ancestor of Anak. English translations sometimes render it as 'Kirjath-arba' or update to 'Hebron.' The city served as an important religious and administrative center during the patriarchal and early monarchic periods, with continued significance into post-exilic texts. The transformation from 'Qiryath Arba' to 'Hebron' marks shifting nomenclature reflecting conquest, settlement, and evolving identity in Judahite history.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (with the article interposed) קִרְיַת הָאַרְבַּע; (Nehemiah 11:25), from קִרְיָה and אַרְבַּע or אַרְבַּע; city of Arba, or city of the four (giants); Kirjath-Arba or Kirjath-ha-Arba, a place in Palestine; Kirjath-arba.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קרה, ארבע (q-r-h; ʾ-r-b-ʿ) — to meet, encounter, gather; four

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7153-01 אַרְבַּ֛ע areba HAcfsa Arba four 7
H7153-04 קִרְיַ֣ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of 6
H7153-02 בְּ/קִרְיַ֥ת beqireyat HR/Np in Kiriath in City-of-Arba 2
H7153-03 הָֽאַרְבַּ֑ע haareba HNp Arba the Arba 2
H7153-05 וְ/קִרְיַ֥ת veqireyat HC/Np and Kiriath and City-of Arba 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7153-02 Genesis 23:2 בְּ/קִרְיַ֥ת beqireyat HR/Np in Kiriath in City-of-Arba
H7153-01 Genesis 23:2 אַרְבַּ֛ע areba HAcfsa Arba four
H7153-04 Genesis 35:27 קִרְיַ֣ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of
H7153-03 Genesis 35:27 הָֽאַרְבַּ֑ע haareba HNp Arba the Arba
H7153-04 Joshua 14:15 קִרְיַ֣ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of
H7153-01 Joshua 14:15 אַרְבַּ֔ע areba HAcfsa arba four
H7153-04 Joshua 15:13 קִרְיַ֥ת qireyat HNp Kiriath City-of
H7153-01 Joshua 15:13 אַרְבַּ֛ע areba HAcfsa Arba four
H7153-05 Joshua 15:54 וְ/קִרְיַ֥ת veqireyat HC/Np and Kiriath and City-of Arba
H7153-01 Joshua 15:54 אַרְבַּ֛ע areba HAcfsa Arba four
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