It is commonly explained as being the Aramaic equivalent of Hebrew רְבִיעִיRevi'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] The Revia
replaces the Pashta when a stronger stop is needed, especially when there are too many[4] pashta in a row. However, the last stop before the Zakef always remain a Pashta.
The Rivia is read in a slow, downward tone, with a pause in the middle breaking upward.
References
↑Buhl, Dr. Frants (2021). Wilhelm Gesenius' Hebräisches und aramäisches Handwörterbuch[Hebrew and Aram concise dictionary by Wilhelm Gesenius] (in German) (17ed.). Berlin / Heidelberg: Springer. p.742. ISBN978-3-642-94264-8.
↑Lier, Gudrun, "The Revia in the Context of Decoding Masoretic Accents", Journal of Semitics, 2011, Vol 21/1, pp. 28-51.
↑Chanting the Hebrew Bible By Joshua R. Jacobson, page 102
