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רְבִיעִי

𐤓𐤁𐤉𐤏𐤉

rᵉbîyʻîy

H7243 adjective

SILEX Entry

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

Definition

Ordinal adjective meaning 'fourth' in sequence, referring to the item or position that is number four in a series. It is used for both order (the fourth in a list) and partitive/fractional sense (a quarter or one-fourth of a whole). In some contexts, it also appears as an attributive specifying something that is divided into four parts, or that corresponds to the number four (e.g., four-sided or foursquare).

Semantic Range

fourth (in sequence), fourth part, quarter (fraction), fourfold, four-sided, foursquare

Root / Etymology

From the root רבע (r-b-ʻ), which carries the idea of 'four' or 'to be four'. רְבִיעִי is the masculine singular form of the ordinal number constructed from this root, formed with the standard ordinal ending -ִי (i). The root meaning is 'four', but the word functions grammatically as the ordinal 'fourth.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

רְבִיעִי occurs with reference to both order and portion in Israelite chronological, liturgical, and ritual contexts. For example, it is used in lists of priestly service (1 Chronicles 24:8), in calendar reckonings such as the 'fourth month' (Jeremiah 39:2), and in fractional distribution of resources or offerings (Ezekiel 46:14). The term can also describe objects with four equal sides or aspects, as in measurements (Ezekiel 40:47) or architectural descriptions. Its scope is strictly numerical and ordinal, without broader figurative or symbolic connotations unless contextually specified. English translations often render it as 'fourth' or 'foursquare' (for measurements), but 'quarter' or 'a fourth part' appear in distributive contexts. Related terms include אַרְבָּעָה (arba‘ah, cardinal 'four') and רְבִיעִית (rᵉbī‘īt, 'a fourth part' or 'one fourth'). While later English translations may use 'quarter,' this corresponds exactly to the Biblical usage when meaning 'one-fourth.' There is no evidence for significant semantic shift in this word throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or רְבִעִי; from רָבַע; fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth; foursquare, fourth (part).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H702 אַרְבַּע four
H703 אַרְבַּע four
H7244 רְבִיעַי fourth (feminine)
H7250 רָבַע to lie-flat with her
H7251 רָבַע made four-sided

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7243-03 הָֽ/רְבִיעִ֖י harevii HTd/Aomsa the fourth the fourth 26
H7243-04 הָ/רְבִיעִ֔ת hareviit HTd/Aofsa the fourth the fourth 11
H7243-07 רְבִיעִ֥ת reviit HAofsc a fourth fourth part of 7
H7243-09 וְ/הָ/רְבִיעִ֖י veharevii HC/Td/Aomsa and the fourth and the fourth 3
H7243-08 וּ/רְבִיעִ֥ת ureviit HC/Aofsc and a fourth and fourth of 2
H7243-06 רְבִעִ֔ים reviim HAompa fourth generation fourths 2
H7243-05 רְבִיעִֽי revii HAomsa fourth fourth 2
H7243-02 בִּ/רְבִעִ֥ית bireviit HR/Aofsa in-a-fourth in fourth 1
H7243-01 בָּֽ/רְבִיעִי֙ barevii HRd/Aomsa in-the-fourth fourth 1

Occurrences in Scripture

55 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7243-05 Genesis 1:19 רְבִיעִֽי revii HAomsa fourth fourth
H7243-03 Genesis 2:14 הָֽ/רְבִיעִ֖י harevii HTd/Aomsa the fourth the fourth
H7243-05 Genesis 15:16 רְבִיעִ֖י revii HAomsa generation fourth
H7243-03 Exodus 28:20 הָ/רְבִיעִ֔י harevii HTd/Aomsa the fourth the fourth
H7243-03 Exodus 39:13 הָֽ/רְבִיעִ֔י harevii HTd/Aomsa the fourth the fourth
H7243-04 Leviticus 19:24 הָ/רְבִיעִ֔ת hareviit HTd/Aofsa the fourth the fourth
H7243-07 Leviticus 23:13 רְבִיעִ֥ת reviit HAofsc a fourth fourth part of
H7243-03 Numbers 7:30 הָ/רְבִיעִ֔י harevii HTd/Aomsa the fourth the fourth
H7243-02 Numbers 15:4 בִּ/רְבִעִ֥ית bireviit HR/Aofsa in-a-fourth in fourth
H7243-07 Numbers 15:5 רְבִיעִ֣ית reviit HAofsa a fourth fourth part of
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