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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.

Translation Consistency

primary "quarter" 4 occurrences

The lemma denotes one of four equal parts or a side among four; "quarter" is the most natural, concise English noun that captures both the fractional sense (a fourth part) and the spatial/architectural sense (one of four sides). It also matches the majority of existing renderings (e.g. “quarters”) and works consistently for every form under this Strong’s number.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"quarter-of" (2x) "fourth-part of" (1x) "sides" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

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

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

רבע (Reva) — to be four, fourfold, consisting of four

Root רבע 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 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7253-01 רֶ֖בַע reva HNcmsc a fourth quarter-of quarter-of 2
H7253-05 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides-of-them their quarters their quarters 2
H7253-02 רְבָעָֽי/ו revaayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its-sides his quarters his quarters 1
H7253-03 רְבָעֶ֑י/הָ revaeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs sides her quarters her quarters 1
H7253-04 רְבִעִ֥ית reviit HAofsc a-fourth fourth-part of fourth-part of 1
H7253-06 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן riveeyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp sides their fourth-parts their sides 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7253-01 Exodus 29:40 רֶ֣בַע reva HNcmsc a-quarter quarter-of quarter-of
H7253-04 Exodus 29:40 רְבִעִ֥ית reviit HAofsc a-fourth fourth-part of fourth-part of
H7253-01 1 Samuel 9:8 רֶ֖בַע reva HNcmsc a fourth quarter-of quarter-of
H7253-05 Ezekiel 1:8 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides their their quarters their quarters
H7253-06 Ezekiel 1:17 רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן riveeyhen HNcmpc/Sp3fp sides their fourth-parts their sides
H7253-05 Ezekiel 10:11 רִבְעֵי/הֶם֙ riveeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp sides-of-them their quarters their quarters
H7253-02 Ezekiel 43:16 רְבָעָֽי/ו revaayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its-sides his quarters his quarters
H7253-03 Ezekiel 43:17 רְבָעֶ֑י/הָ revaeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs sides her quarters her quarters
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