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Arba

biblical_proper_name theological_term standard

Arba is a biblical personal name associated with Kiriath-arba, the earlier name of Hebron, and with the Anakim tradition.

At a Glance

A biblical proper name, not a doctrinal term; Arba is associated with Kiriath-arba/Hebron and appears in conquest-era references.

Key Points

Description

Arba is a biblical proper name found in Old Testament references to Kiriath-arba, the earlier name of Hebron, and in passages connected with the Anakim. The biblical data present Arba as part of the historical and geographical setting of Israel’s life in Canaan, especially in conquest and inheritance narratives. It is not used as a doctrinal or theological term, so the entry should be classified as a biblical proper name rather than a theological concept.

Biblical Context

The name appears in texts that describe tribal inheritance, territorial boundaries, and the conquest period. Its strongest association is with Kiriath-arba, later known as Hebron, a significant site in the hill country of Judah.

Historical Context

Arba belongs to the biblical world of Canaanite and Israelite place names. The references suggest an ancient local tradition tied to a city and region that remained important in later Israelite memory.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In later Jewish reading, names like Arba are generally treated as part of the sacred historical record of the land and its settlements rather than as isolated theological ideas.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The Hebrew form is rendered Arba in English translations and is associated with the place-name Kiriath-arba ('city of Arba').

Theological Significance

Arba has limited direct theological significance. Its value is mainly historical: it helps locate biblical events and preserves the memory of key places in the land promises and conquest narratives.

Philosophical Explanation

This is not an abstract concept or doctrine, but a proper name. Its significance comes from how biblical history is rooted in real places and identifiable people.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not treat Arba as a doctrinal category. The biblical references are brief, so interpretations should stay close to the text and avoid speculation beyond the historical and geographical data.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal debate about Arba itself. Discussion usually concerns identification, spelling, and the relationship between Arba, Kiriath-arba, and Hebron.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Arba should not be used to build doctrine. Any teaching from the entry should remain limited to biblical history, geography, and naming traditions.

Practical Significance

The entry helps readers follow biblical geography and better understand the setting of Israel’s inheritance narratives and the history of Hebron.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Arba

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