Original Word: רָבַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raba`
Pronunciation: rah-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-bah')
KJV: (four-)square(-d)
NASB: square, squared
Word Origin: [a primitive root (rather identical with H7250 (רָבַע - mate) through the idea of sprawling "at all fours" (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.)); properly, to be four (sided); used only as denominative of H7253 (רֶבַע - sides)]

1. to be quadrate

foursquared

A primitive root (rather identical with raba' through the idea of sprawling "at all fours" (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare arba'); properly, to be four (sided); used only as denominative of reba'; to be quadrate -- (four-)square(-d).

see HEBREW raba'

see HEBREW arba'

see HEBREW reba'

Word Origin
denominative verb from arba
Definition
to square
NASB Translation
square (11), squared (1).

[רְבַע] verb denominative, only Passive participle squared, square; —

Qal Passive participle רָבוּעַ square, of altar Exodus 27:1; Exodus 30:2; Exodus 37:25; Exodus 38:1, compare Ezekiel 43:16; breastplate Ezekiel 30:2; Ezekiel 39:9; plural רְבֻעִים, of doorways, etc. [on text see Kit Benz] 1 Kings 7:5; feminine singular רְבֻעָה as substantive = a square Ezekiel 41:21 (accusative Co Toy, omit מְזוּזַת, and joining ׳ר to Ezekiel 41:20; Krae reads מְזוּזתֹ רְבֻעֹת, compare 1 Kings 6:33, רְבִייְִ 2).

Pu`al Participle square, מְרֻבַּע Ezekiel 45:2, of piece of land; feminine singular מְרֻבָּ֑עַת Ezekiel 40:47, of court; feminine plural מְרֻבָּעוֺת 1 Kings 7:31 (opposed to עֲנֻלּוֺת), of borders of bases (compare Sabean רבעתם, a kind of square building, SabDenkm³¹).

Overview of the Theme

Strong’s Hebrew 7251 represents the idea of the four-sided, perfectly balanced “square.” In Scripture this concrete shape consistently appears in contexts of worship and sacred architecture. Whenever the Spirit records an object “to be square,” the description serves to emphasize precision, completeness, and the ordered harmony that characterizes the dwelling of God among His people.

Cultic Structures in the Wilderness

1. The Bronze Altar (Exodus 27:1; 38:1).

“You are to build the altar… five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar shall be square”.

The altar where substitutionary blood was shed mirrored God’s own unchanging integrity: no side was privileged, no measurement uncertain. The worshiper approaching from any direction met the same dimensions, a visual testimony that the single way of atonement is equally open to all who draw near.

2. The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:2; 37:25).

“It is to be a cubit long and a cubit wide; it shall be square.”

Incense, emblematic of prayer (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4), rose from a platform of perfect symmetry, underscoring that acceptable prayer must align with the righteous standards of the Lord.

3. The Breastpiece of Judgment (Exodus 28:16; 39:9).

Aaron carried Israel’s tribes over his heart on a square setting of precious stones, signifying that the priestly intercession rested upon a foundation of equity and completeness. Every tribe was represented, none overshadowed, anticipating the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ who “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Temple Architecture in the Monarchy

Solomon maintained the same proportions in the permanent temple.
• Doors and frames were “square, with the frames matching the window openings” (1 Kings 7:5).
• Even the supports of the lavers carried “an opening a cubit deep that was square” (1 Kings 7:31).

The ordered geometry of the house proclaimed that Israel’s God is not the author of confusion but of peace (compare 1 Corinthians 14:33).

Ezekiel’s Visionary Temple

Ezekiel’s future sanctuary intensifies the motif:
• The inner court is measured “one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, a perfect square” (Ezekiel 40:47).
• Doorposts, sanctuary walls, and most prominently the eschatological altar are all declared “square” (Ezekiel 41:21; 43:16).
• The allotted holy district for priests and Levites is likewise “square on all sides” (Ezekiel 45:2).

These details anticipate a time when worship on earth will reflect heaven’s flawless order, preparing for the ultimate fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, whose length, width, and height are equal (Revelation 21:16).

Theological Significance

1. Divine Perfection.

A square has no weak side, no imbalance. The repeated insistence on four equal edges proclaims God’s perfect righteousness and the moral symmetry of His ways (Deuteronomy 32:4).

2. Universal Reach.

North, south, east, and west meet in the square. The shape therefore hints at the global scope of redemption: “From the four winds… bring them” (Ezekiel 37:9; compare Matthew 24:31).

3. Covenant Certainty.

Exact measurements convey reliability. The believer can rest assured that every promise of God is “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20); nothing in His redemptive plan is approximate or haphazard.

Typological and Christological Insights

The foursquare altars prefigure the cross, the fixed point where justice and mercy met. Like the bronze altar, the cross is approachable from every direction, yet immovable in its dimensions. The incense altar, square beneath ascending fragrance, foreshadows the ascended Christ who presents the prayers of the saints (Hebrews 4:14-16). The priestly breastpiece, square over the heart, mirrors Christ’s unfailing remembrance of His Church.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Worship Planning: The principle of order encourages reverent intentionality in corporate gatherings (1 Corinthians 14:40).
• Leadership Integrity: The “square” calls leaders to transparent, balanced decision-making, avoiding partiality (James 2:1-9).
• Personal Devotion: Believers are invited to build lives of symmetry—doctrine and practice, love for God and neighbor—in keeping with the pattern shown in Scripture (Luke 10:27).

Historical Reflections

Jewish tradition regarded the foursquare breastpiece as a tangible reminder that divine justice is not swayed by circumstance. Early Christian writers saw in the perfect square a symbol of the Church “gathered from the four corners of the earth.” Medieval architects echoed the biblical pattern by designing sanctuary chancels and baptisteries on a square plan to signify stability and eternity.

Summary

Across the Pentateuch, the united kingdom, and prophetic vision, Scripture repeatedly underlines the square as the shape of God-ordained worship. Whether fashioned in wood overlaid with bronze and gold or envisioned in stone yet to be laid, every foursquare object points to the unwavering holiness of the Lord, His comprehensive redemption through Christ, and the orderly beauty that will fill the new creation.

מְרֻבָּ֑עַת מְרֻבָּ֣ע מְרֻבָּע֖וֹת מרבע מרבעות מרבעת רְבֻעִ֣ים רְבֻעָ֑ה רָב֔וּעַ רָב֕וּעַ רָב֗וּעַ רָב֣וּעַ רָב֤וּעַ רָב֥וּעַ רָב֧וּעַ רבוע רבעה רבעים mə·rub·bā‘ mə·rub·bā·‘aṯ mə·rub·bā·‘ō·wṯ merubBa mərubbā‘ mərubbā‘aṯ mərubbā‘ōwṯ merubBaat merubbaot rā·ḇū·a‘ rāḇūa‘ raVua rə·ḇu·‘āh rə·ḇu·‘îm rəḇu‘āh rəḇu‘îm revuAh revuImInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts