Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "four-sided" in the Bible often relates to descriptions of objects, structures, or visions that carry symbolic or practical significance. The number four frequently represents universality or completeness, as seen in the four corners of the earth or the four winds. This symbolism is reflected in various biblical passages and contexts.
Tabernacle and Temple StructuresIn the construction of sacred spaces, the four-sided nature of certain elements underscores their stability and completeness. For instance, the altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle was square, as described in
Exodus 27:1: "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar is to be square, and three cubits high." This four-sided design signifies the altar's role as a central, stable place of sacrifice and worship.
Similarly, the altar in Solomon's Temple was also four-sided, emphasizing its function as a focal point for the Israelites' offerings and prayers. The square shape of these altars may symbolize the comprehensive nature of God's covenant with His people, encompassing all directions and aspects of life.
Ezekiel's VisionIn the prophetic visions of Ezekiel, the four-sided nature of certain elements carries deep symbolic meaning.
Ezekiel 1:10 describes the four living creatures, each with four faces: "As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man, the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle." These four faces represent different aspects of creation and divine attributes, suggesting the all-encompassing nature of God's presence and authority.
Ezekiel's vision of the new temple also includes a four-sided altar, as detailed in
Ezekiel 43:16: "Now the altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and four horns shall project upward from the hearth." This altar, like those before it, signifies the completeness and perfection of worship in the restored temple.
New JerusalemIn the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem is described as a perfect cube, a city with four equal sides, symbolizing its divine perfection and completeness.
Revelation 21:16 states, "The city lies foursquare, with its length the same as its width." This four-sided city represents the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate unity and harmony of His creation.
Symbolism of FourThroughout Scripture, the number four and the concept of being four-sided often symbolize universality, completeness, and divine order. Whether in the construction of sacred altars, the visions of prophets, or the depiction of the New Jerusalem, the four-sided nature of these elements reflects the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of God's plan and presence in the world.
Strong's Hebrew
7251. raba -- to square... 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
...7243. rebii -- fourth
... Word Origin from the same as arba Definition fourth NASB Word Usagefour-sided
(1), fourth (51), one-fourth (1), square (1). foursquare, fourth part....
Library
Whether Many Habits Can be in one Power?
... comprised in another; just as neither can a body have several shapes, save in so
far as one shape enters into another, as a three-sided in afour-sided figure....
Whether Sin is Fittingly Divided into Sin against God, against...
... This may be seen in the division of numbers and figures: for a triangle is
distinguished from afour-sided figure not in respect of its being contained thereby...
Symbolism of the Church Building
... David, etc., are said to have been long preserved, if not existing even now. They
arefour-sided bronze bells, sometimes of several plates fused into one. St....
The Members of the Lord: their Names and Significance
... [I:Thess.4:15]. The chariot of the Lord, the seat of the Lord, is thefour-sided
gospel; in the psalm: the chariot of the Lord has 20,000 sides....
Making and Breaking Connections.
... on them," "came upon,"[10] all suggesting an act from above. AFour-Sided
Truth. Now notice that the word used at the time of the...
Letter vii. (AD 389. )
... that three worlds, such as the one which we inhabit, were placed one above another;"
or, "Suppose the earth to be enclosed within afour-sided figure," and so...
The Teen Age Teacher
... for your class. Remember your boy isfour-sided, that he is physical, mental,
social and religious in his nature. Do not neglect...
Last Things
... This period, like Janus, hath two faces, looking back on the year that is past and
looking forward on the year that is to come, and myfour-sided lamp will...
Thesaurus
Four-sided (1 Occurrence)Four-
sided. Fourscore,
Four-
sided. Foursquare . Multi-Version
Concordance
Four-
sided (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 6:33 So
...Foursquare (10 Occurrences)
Fourscore (33 Occurrences)
Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A square or lozenge-shaped paving tile. 6. (n.) A glazier's diamond. 7.
(n.) Afour-sided cutting tool or chisel having a diamond-shaped end....
Obelisk
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An upright,four-sided pillar, gradually tapering
as it rises, and terminating in a pyramid called pyramidion....
Diamond (5 Occurrences)
... of a diamond. 4. (n.) A pointed projection, like afour-sided pyramid,
used for ornament in lines or groups. 5. (n.) The infield...
Altar (343 Occurrences)
... altar found at Gezer built into the foundation of a wall dating about 600 BC Mr.
Macalister describes it in the following words: "It is afour-sided block of...
Resources
Who is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Nelson Darby? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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