The Name Arbas — My Story, My Roots, My Calling

ARBA (אַרְבַּע) — ARBAS (plural of arba)
Meaning: Four
Etymology: From the cardinal number רבע (raba’), “four.”
Related names: via רבע (raba’): Kiryat-Arba, Reba

Why “Arbas” Matters To Me

Names carry stories. Arbas connects me to Scripture, to Hebron’s ancient hills, and to the “fours” that have ordered human thought—from seasons and directions to the four Gospels, to the commission going out to the four corners of the earth. Tracing my roots is ultimately tracing Y’hovah’s faithful hand through generations.

Arba in Scripture: Giants, Gates, and a City Renamed

Arba—the only man with this name in Scripture—is called “the greatest among the Anakim” (cf. Yehoshua [Joshua] 14:15; 15:13, TS2009/CJB). He founded Kiryat-Arba (later known as Hebron). His three sons—Ahiman, Sheshai, Talmai—dwelt there until Kalĕv (Caleb), son of Yephunneh, friend of Yehoshua bin Nun, drove them out (Yehoshua [Joshua] 15:14), and Y’hudah (Judah) finally subdued them (Shophetim [Judges] 1:10).
From there, Kalĕv captured Kiryat-Sepher—“City of Books”—hinting that the Hebron region was a center of learning and record-keeping, not merely warfare.

What Might “Arba/Arbas” Convey?

Many lexicons render Arba/Arbas simply as “four/fours.” Some (e.g., older Greek/English notes) connect “square” with ideas of stability or completion. In Hebrew, arba primarily denotes the numeral itself. Yet, the pattern of fours saturates Scripture and creation: four rivers of Eden, four directions, four living beings in Ezekiel’s vision, four winds, four corners of the earth. Close to Kiryat-Sepher, the Arba legacy sits beside a “city of books,” suggesting an intellectual center—where counting, measuring, and recording flourished.

Without forcing the text, the name Arba/Arbas easily invites reflection on how number and knowledge serve Y’hovah’s purposes. As human culture matured, people organized life by reliable “fours”: seasons/quarters, elements (as the ancients conceived them), points of the compass, stages of life. In that sense, Arbas bears witness to the order woven into creation by Avinu Elohei.

A Brief “Theory of Fours” (Arbas) in History

Across the ancient world, “fours” framed thought:

• Four Humors & Temperaments (classical medicine/psychology): a pre-modern attempt to map health and personality.
• Four Directions & Corners: how Scripture poetically describes the whole world and the scope of Y’hovah’s plans.
• Four Phases/Seasons: agriculture, sacred calendars, and festivals move in a cadence of quarters.

While we no longer rely on humoral medicine, the symbolic power of four remains—pointing to wholeness across the earth. For me, Arbas serves as a reminder that the Besorah (Good News) reaches all four corners and that discipleship touches every quarter of life.

My Testimony: How Y’hovah Led Me

Birth & Heritage

I was born in Makati, Rizal, Philippines. My father, of French/English descent, was a U.S. Navy veteran. My mother was Filipina and a Spanish Jew. My grandfather, F. Arbas, was not a Filipino but a Spanish Jew of lineage traced to Spain. Raised and sometimes practiced Catholicism until 1980, I knew nothing of my Jewish roots until 2021, when I began earnest research.
In 2024, a DNA test confirmed my partial Jewishness. Spiritually, being grafted into Yisrael, the olive tree (Romiyim [Romans] 11) through Rabbi Y’hoshua Ben Y’hovah, of the tribe of Y’hudah, unto our fathers Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov, I embrace the fullness of my covenant identity, a Y'hudi.

New Birth & Lifelong Mercy

I was born again and grafted into Yisrael in 1986. Over decades, Avinu Elohei delivered me through trials, tribulations, and addictions—healing mind and body, renewing me daily by His Ruach.

“Work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12, TS2009)

Ministry Background

I served as a Pentecostal Christian minister for 35 years, with 20 years ordained, as Pastor, Elder, Teacher, Evangelist, and Chaplain. Yet in time I heard a clear call:

“Flee from the midst of Baṇel…” (Yirmeyahu [Jeremiah] 50:8, TS2009)

A Hebraic Return (2021–present)

In 2021, I left all Greco-Roman forms of Christianity to follow the derekh (path) and teachings of Y’hoshua, our Rabbi, Savior, and Mashiach.

“Come out of her, My people…” (Hitgalut [Revelation] 18:4, CJB/TS2009)

Since then, I have pursued yeshiva, TORAH, Netzarim halakhah, Jewish philosophy, and Hebrew. After four years of focused study, I completed Semikhah/ordination as a rabbi/teacher on August 24, 2025. Today, I continue teaching TORAH and evangelizing online and locally here in Arizona (AZ).

My Calling & Mission

Our ministry, Netzarim Talmidim, centers on restoration through talmidut (discipleship)—because Y’hoshua commanded us to make talmidim (Mattityahu 28). True faith is a growing relationship with Y’hoshua HaMashiach, not a one-time moment. We aim to restore authentic talmidut as commanded in Mattityahu [Matthew] 28:19—lived in the Hebraic way of life called Netzari Mashiach Judaism.

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths… and you will find rest for your souls.” (Yirmeyahu [Jeremiah] 6:16–19, CJB/TS2009)

Y’hoshua and Judaism. Y’hoshua (Jesus) is not the founder of a new religion; He fulfills and completes the promises made to Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov. The so-called “Judeo-Christian” heritage is often taught through Hellenized lenses; we are returning to the Hebraic roots—Scripture, covenant, and the living derekh halakhah of our Rabbi.

Why “Arbas” Still Speaks

From Arba of Hebron to the four corners of today’s mission field, “fours” remind me that Y’hovah orders our steps and sends us outward. The name Arbas calls me to square my life—Spirit, Soul, Mind, and Body—under the Sovereignty of Y’hovah, and to train talmidim who live the whole-life Torah of Y’hoshua.

By Rabbi Francisco Arbas — Netzari Mashiach Judaism

Stay in Touch

For questions, comments, or to connect: franciscoarbas.yisrael@gmail.com.
I welcome your correspondence and friendship.