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Rabbi HaTzair M. Francisco Arbas. Tracing some of my Roots.

Rabbi HaTzair M. Francisco Arbas. Tracing some of my Roots.

ARBA ארבע – ARBAS PLURAL FOR ARBA

Meaning Four
Etymology From the cardinal number רבע (raba'), four.
Related names• Via רבע (raba'): Kiriath-arba, Reba

The name Arba in the Bible

There's only one man named Arba in the Bible and he is called the greatest man among the already huge Anakim, which he fathered (Joshua 14:15, 15:13). The Anakim are counted among the Biblical race(s) of the Nephilim and Rephaim, so Arba must have been gigantic indeed.

Arba founded a town called Kiriath-arba, which was later called Hebron, and his three gargantuan descendants were named Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai. They lived in Hebron but were expelled by Caleb, son of Jephunneh and the friend of Joshua (Joshua 15:14) and were finally defeated by Judah (Judges 1:10). After conquering Kiriath-arba, Caleb conquered Kiriath-sepher, which means City Of Books.

Arba-Arbas meaning

For a meaning of the name Arba/Arbas, NOBSE Study Bible Name List simply reads Four or Fours. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Quadrangular, and explains that in Greek the word for square may denote perfection. This may be true in Greek (and quite squarely still is in English) but in Hebrew it isn't and the name Arba seems to convey more than just a sturdy stature.

Kiriath-arba was situated close to Kiriath-sepher, which indicates that the place was an academic hotspot. The name Arba/Arbas may have conveyed the theory of four or fours, which resulted in the birth of the number sequence, and thus everything from monetary economy, complex architecture, to health, and science. In early Biblical times, knowledge, power and magic went hand in hand and the development of a calculus system must have appeared as a miracle to the clueless.

If Arba denotes the rise of calculus in the evolution of human intellect (as seen in the Hebrew Scripture as knowledge from YHVH/God), then Arba belonged to an antiquity deeper than that of Joshua. But in effect, Arba is the Biblical equivalent of Pythagoras the mathematician, who based his entire religion on the idea that numbers could explain the universe.

But that there is more to Arba and his Anakim is made obvious by the names of four post-exilic Levitical gatekeepers that are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:17.

Modern Overview of the Theory of Fours (Arbas)

The theory of fours primarily refers to two concepts: the Four Humors and the Four Temperaments. Both originated in ancient medical and psychological thought.

Four Humors

  • Definition: A medical theory that suggests the human body is composed of four fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.
  • Origins: Developed by Hippocrates and later expanded by Galen, this theory posited that health depends on the balance of these humors.
  • Health Implications: An imbalance among the humors was believed to cause disease. Each humor was associated with specific physical and emotional traits.

Four Temperaments

  • Definition: A psychological theory that categorizes personalities into four types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic.
  • Characteristics:
    • Sanguine: Sociable, lively, and enthusiastic.
    • Choleric: Ambitious, leader-like, and often angry.
    • Melancholic: Thoughtful, creative, and often sad.
    • Phlegmatic: Calm, reliable, and sometimes apathetic.
  • Historical Context: This theory was influenced by the Four Humors, linking personality traits to the same bodily fluids.

Historical Significance

  • Cultural Impact: The theory of fours influenced various fields, including medicine, psychology, and even literature. It shaped how people understood health and personality for centuries.

Rabbi Arbas Testimony:

A former Pentecostal Christian minister for 37 yrs, ordained minister for 20 yrs. Experience as a Pastor, Elder, Teacher, Evangelist, Chaplain.
In 2021 I left my former ways in Greco-Roman Pagan Christianity and moved on to follow the TRUTH of the WAY of Yehoshua, Rabbi, Savior and Messiah. (Rev. 18:4)
Since 2021 I personally have decided a life time effort to Talmidim under Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Yehovah, to Yeshiva, study Torah, Jewish philosophy, Netzarim Halakhah and Hebrew. Receiving my Semikhah/ordination as a rabbi/teacher in 2025. I'm getting back to the Hebraic roots of the Word of Yehovah God that has been lost in what is called Christianity in today's society.
I have been born again. Check out my statement of beliefs.

The Judeo part of the Judeo-Christian faith has been lost to the Hellenized Greek version of Christianity. Yehoshua (Jesus) didn't come to start a new religion, He came to complete or fulfill the FAITH/emunah of old, Judaism of the patriarchs Avraham, Yitz'chak, Ya`akov. Jer_6:16-19. He is the long waited for Mashiach.

Please email me: franciscoarbas.yisrael@gmail.com with any questions, thoughts, statements. Looking to hearing from you.