רֶבַע

𐤓𐤁𐤏

rebaʻ

H7253 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רבע to be four, divide into four, be fourfold

Definition

A fourth part or quarter of something, especially in contexts relating to measurement, division, or allocation; also refers to a side or face among four, especially in spatial or architectural descriptions. The term can denote one of four equal parts, or the concept of 'a square' as a figure composed of four sides. Used primarily in technical, legal, or ritual texts where precise division is required.

Semantic Range

a fourth part, quarter, one side among four, a square (four sides), a section comprising one fourth of a whole

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root רבע (R-B-‘), which conveys the sense 'to be four, divide into four, be fourfold.' The noun רֶבַע ('rebaʻ') specifically refers to one fourth or a quarter, developing from the verbal sense of dividing or assigning into four.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רֶבַע occurs in legal and ritual texts, such as those dealing with land division, geometry, priestly procedures, or offerings (e.g., dividing a whole into quarters for sacrifice). While the word can sometimes refer to a 'side' in the sense of 'one face of a square,' its primary sense is that of a fourth part rather than a direction or border. In post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, related forms often take on abstract meanings such as 'quarter of a city' (neighborhood). English translations as 'quarter' or 'fourth part' generally capture the meaning, though nuances relating to spatial orientation (face, side) can be lost. The term may be connected to broader Semitic usage involving division into four, distinguished from more general 'part' words (such as חלק, cheleq) which do not specify the number four.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָבַע; a fourth (part or side); fourth part, side, square.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רבע (r-b-ʿ) — to be four, divide into four, be fourfold

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H702 אַרְבַּע four
H703 אַרְבַּע four
H7243 רְבִיעִי fourth
H7244 רְבִיעַי fourth (feminine)
H7250 רָבַע to lie-flat with her

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7253-01 רֶ֣בַע reva HNcmsc a fourth quarter-of 2
H7253-05 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides-of-them their quarters 2
H7253-02 רְבָעָֽי/ו revaayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its-sides his quarters 1
H7253-03 רְבָעֶ֑י/הָ revaeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs sides her quarters 1
H7253-06 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן riveeyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp sides their fourth-parts 1
H7253-04 רְבִעִ֥ית reviit HAofsc a-fourth fourth-part of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7253-01 Exodus 29:40 רֶ֣בַע reva HNcmsc a-quarter quarter-of
H7253-04 Exodus 29:40 רְבִעִ֥ית reviit HAofsc a-fourth fourth-part of
H7253-01 1 Samuel 9:8 רֶ֖בַע reva HNcmsc a fourth quarter-of
H7253-05 Ezekiel 1:8 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides their their quarters
H7253-06 Ezekiel 1:17 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן riveeyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp sides their fourth-parts
H7253-05 Ezekiel 10:11 רִבְעֵי/הֶם֙ riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides-of-them their quarters
H7253-02 Ezekiel 43:16 רְבָעָֽי/ו revaayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its-sides his quarters
H7253-03 Ezekiel 43:17 רְבָעֶ֑י/הָ revaeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs sides her quarters