city of Arba, the original name of Hebron (q.v.), so called from the name of its founder, one of the Anakim ( Genesis 23:2 ; 35:27 ; Joshua 15:13 ). It was given to Caleb by Joshua as his portion. The Jews interpret the name as meaning "the city of the four", i.e., of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Adam, who were all, as they allege, buried there.

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.