The meaning of “קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע”
Understanding Qiryath ʼArbaʻ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or (with the article interposed) קִרְיַת הָאַרְבַּע Qiryath hâ-ʼArbaʻ (keer-yath' haw-ar-bah'); (Nehemiah 11:25), from ק...
קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע
or (with the article interposed) קִרְיַת הָאַרְבַּע Qiryath hâ-ʼArbaʻ (keer-yath' haw-ar-bah'); (Nehemiah 11:25), from קִרְיָה and אַרְבַּע or אַרְבַּע; city of Arba, or city of the four (giants) Kirjath-arba. - § Kirjath-arba = "city of Arba" - Kirjath-Arba or Kirjath-ha-Arba, a place in Palestine 1) early name of the city which after the conquest was called 'Hebron'
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 35:27 | “And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.” Word: קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath ʼArbaʻ) | |
| Joshua 15:54 | “And Humtah, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:” Word: קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath ʼArbaʻ) | |
| Judges 1:10 | “And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath–arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.” Word: קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath ʼArbaʻ) | |
| Nehemiah 11:25 | “And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath–arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,” Word: קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath ʼArbaʻ) |