Word Study for H7251 (רָבַע) | Strong's Concordance

râbaʻ /raw-bah'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root (rather identical with רָבַע through the idea of sprawling 'at all fours' (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare אַרְבַּע)

Meaningproperly, to be four (sided); used only as denominative of רֶבַע; to be quadrate

KJV usage(four-) square(-d).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of râbaʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râbaʻ, represented by H7251, means to be quadrate or four-sided. It is a primitive root used to describe something as being foursquare or squared. Appearing 12 times in 12 unique verses, its usage is specific, denoting perfect and equal-sided dimensions, often in the context of sacred architecture and objects.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical application, H7251 is consistently used to describe the precise, balanced construction of holy items and spaces. The altar of burnt offering was to be foursquare, with five cubits for its length and five for its breadth Exodus 27:1. Similarly, the smaller incense altar was also foursquare, measuring one cubit by one cubit Exodus 30:2. The high priest's breastplate was designed to be foursquare when doubled Exodus 28:16. This principle extends to the architectural elements of Solomon's temple, where doors and posts were square 1 Kings 7:5, and to the visionary temple in Ezekiel, where the court and the altar are specified as foursquare (Ezekiel 40:47, Ezekiel 43:16).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the concept of being square and its application:

H4196 mizbêach (an altar): This is one of the most significant objects described as foursquare, signifying a place of sacrifice built to divine specifications Exodus 38:1.
H7253 rebaʻ (a fourth part, side, square): H7251 is the verb form derived from this noun. Both are used together in Ezekiel's vision to emphasize the perfect four-sided geometry of the altar Ezekiel 43:16.
H520 'ammâh (a cubit): This unit of measure provides the scale for the objects described as foursquare, defining the equal length and breadth that give them their perfect shape, as seen in the dimensions of the incense altar Exodus 37:25.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H7251 is tied to the concepts of divine order and perfection.

Divine Order: The word is applied to key elements of worship, including the altar Exodus 27:1 and the high priest's breastplate Exodus 39:9. Its use suggests that a perfect, stable, and balanced form was required for objects consecrated to God.
Architectural Symbolism: In the descriptions of the tabernacle and temple, the foursquare shape denotes completeness and stability. This is seen in the dimensions of sacred courtyards Ezekiel 40:47 and even the land set apart for the sanctuary Ezekiel 45:2.
Contrast with Imperfection: In the construction of the base for the temple, the borders were made foursquare, explicitly described as "not round H5696" 1 Kings 7:31. This contrast highlights the intentionality and significance of the square shape in sacred design.

Summary

In summary, H7251 is not merely a geometric descriptor but a term loaded with theological weight. It is reserved for items and spaces central to the worship of God, defining the divinely mandated perfection, stability, and completeness of altars, priestly garments, and sacred structures. The use of râbaʻ illustrates how physical form was used in scripture to reflect the perfect and orderly nature of God himself.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

רָבוּעַ
מְרֻבָּעוֹת
מְרֻבָּעַת
מְרֻבָּע
רְבֻעִים
רְבֻעָה

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 12 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Exodus (6 verses); never once in the other 36.

Exodus

1 Kings

Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.