רֶבַע
𐤓𐤁𐤏
rebaʻ
H7253 noun
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot 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 |