Arba is an enigmatic figure from the earliest history of Canaan, mentioned only in connection with the great city that bore his name. He is identified as a patriarch among the Anakim, the race of giants whose fearsome reputation struck terror into the hearts of the Israelite spies sent by Moses.
The Great Man Among the Anakim
Arba is defined by his stature and position among his people. He is explicitly referred to as the ancestor and head of the giants:
“And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. This city did Joshua give to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.” — Joshua 14:15 (KJV)
This description confirms two key facts about Arba:
- A Man of Renown: He was clearly a chief, a leader, or a founder—a “great man”—whose influence was powerful enough to have a major city named after him for generations.
- Patriarch of Giants: He was the progenitor or most renowned figure of the Anakim, who were known for their immense physical size, suggesting Arba himself was a man of extraordinary height and strength.
The City of Arba
Arba’s primary claim to fame is the ancient name of the city of Hebron. Before the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, this strategically vital city was known as Kirjath-arba, which literally translates to “The City of Arba.”
The Book of Genesis reinforces the antiquity of the city’s name:
“And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.” — Genesis 23:2 (KJV)
The fact that the name Kirjath-arba was in use during the time of Abraham (many generations before the Israelite conquest) highlights Arba’s immense antiquity as a foundational figure in the region.
The Legacy of the Anakim
The descendants of Arba, the Anakim, became the greatest challenge to the invading Israelites, requiring a special demonstration of faith and courage to defeat them.
It was Caleb the son of Jephunneh who specifically requested the territory around Kirjath-arba, despite the presence of Arba’s giant descendants, as a reward for his faithfulness:
“Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” — Joshua 14:12 (KJV)
After the conquest of the city, its name was changed or reverted to Hebron, but the legacy of Arba and his giant progeny remains permanently fixed in the historical records of the land.