### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **ʼarbaʻ**, represented by `{{H703}}`, is the numeral for **four**. It appears 8 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is primarily concentrated in the book of Daniel, where it plays a key role in structuring prophetic visions, and in Ezra, where it is used for enumeration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H703}}` is used in several significant contexts. In the visions of Daniel, it denotes the **four** great beasts that came up from the sea [[Daniel 7:3]], which are later interpreted as **four** kings that will arise [[Daniel 7:17]]. The number also describes the **four** winds of the heaven [[Daniel 7:2]] and physical attributes within the visions, such as a leopard-like beast with **four** wings and **four** heads [[Daniel 7:6]]. In a historical account, it quantifies the **four** hundred lambs offered at the dedication of the house of God [[Ezra 6:17]]. It is also used to count the **four** men seen walking in the fiery furnace [[Daniel 3:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide further numerical and ordinal context:
* `{{H3969}}` **mᵉʼâh** (hundred): This numeral is used as a multiplicative with `{{H703}}` in the list of sacred offerings, specifying "**four** hundred lambs" [[Ezra 6:17]].
* `{{H7244}}` **rᵉbîyʻay** (fourth): As the ordinal counterpart to "four," this word is used to identify a specific entity in a sequence, such as the **fourth** man in the furnace [[Daniel 3:25]] or the **fourth** beast in Daniel's vision [[Daniel 7:7]].
* `{{H8648}}` **tᵉrêyn** (two): This numeral appears in the same list of offerings as `{{H703}}`, counting the **twelve** he goats for the tribes of Israel, providing a broader numerical context for the sacred dedication [[Ezra 6:17]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H703}}` is primarily seen through its symbolic and quantitative roles.
* **Structuring Prophetic Visions:** The number four is fundamental to the structure of Daniel's visions, representing a complete set of worldly kingdoms or cosmic forces. This is seen in the **four** beasts which are **four** kings [[Daniel 7:17]] and the **four** winds [[Daniel 7:2]].
* **Divine Revelation:** The presence of **four** men in the fiery furnace, with the form of the fourth being like the Son of God, marks a moment of divine intervention and revelation during a time of trial [[Daniel 3:25]].
* **Enumeration of Offerings:** In a more literal sense, the word is used to precisely count the large-scale offerings made during the dedication of the house of God, highlighting the scale and importance of the event [[Ezra 6:17]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H703}}` is more than just the Aramaic number for four. While it functions as a simple counter in historical records, its primary impact comes from its repeated use in the book of Daniel. There, it serves as a foundational element for organizing visions of worldly empires and divine activity, illustrating how a common numeral can carry significant prophetic and theological weight.
TRV