Revia (Hebrew cantillation mark) explained

Revia (Hebrew: רְבִיעַ, [{{IPA|r<sup>ə</sup>viaʕ}}]) is a cantillation mark commonly found in the Torah, Haftarah, and other biblical texts.

It is commonly explained as being the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew Hebrew: rtl=yes|רְבִיעִי Revi'i, meaning 'fourth' or 'quarter'.[1], and for that reason is sometimes called Revi'i. However, this is probably a folk etymology: the more likely meaning in Aramaic is "crouching" or "lying", referring to its position vertically above the word.[2]

Revia is considered to have medium strength. It is stronger than a Pashta or Tevir, but weaker than a Zakef or Tifcha.[3]

Revia can occur either by itself, or following one or two Munachs. When there are two Munachs prior to a Revia, the first Munach has a long melody, and the second one is short. When there is one Munach, it is short.

Based on its translation as fourth, in printed texts it is represented by a diamond-shaped mark. However in manuscripts it is just a dot.[4]

Total occurrences

BookNumber of appearances
Torah2430[5]
   Genesis610
   Exodus504
   Leviticus312
   Numbers497
   Deuteronomy507
Nevi'im2239[6]
Ketuvim1672

Melody

The Rivia is read in a slow, downward tone, with a pause in the middle breaking upward.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Buhl, Dr. Frants . 2021 . Wilhelm Gesenius' Hebräisches und aramäisches Handwörterbuch . . de . Springer . Berlin / Heidelberg . 17 . 978-3-642-94264-8 . 742.
  2. Lier, Gudrun, "The Revia in the Context of Decoding Masoretic Accents", Journal of Semitics, 2011, Vol 21/1, pp. 28-51.
  3. Chanting the Hebrew Bible By Joshua R. Jacobson, page 102
  4. The Art of Cantillation, Volume 2: A Step-By-Step Guide to Chanting Haftarot ... By Marshall Portnoy, Josée Wolff, page 43
  5. Concordance of the Hebrew accents in the Hebrew Bible: Concordance ..., Volume 1 By James D. Price, page 6
  6. Concordance of the Hebrew accents in the Hebrew Bible: Concordance ..., Volume 1 By James D. Price, page 5