### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H7331 (רְזוֹן, Rᵉzôwn) is a proper noun, a personal name. Its base definition indicates a derivation from the root רָזַן (razan), which means "to be weighty, to be a prince, to be noble" (`{{H7330}}`). Thus, the name Rᵉzôwn inherently carries connotations of princely status, authority, or nobility. While the root suggests a person of inherent dignity or high standing, the specific usage of H7331 in the biblical text refers to a historical individual, Rezon, who became a ruler. The definition specifically identifies him as "a Syrian," placing him within a particular ethnic and geographical context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Rᵉzôwn (H7331) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within a single narrative passage in 1 Kings:
* [[1 Kings 11:23]]: "God also raised up another adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah."
* [[1 Kings 11:24]]: "And he gathered men to himself and became captain of a band, when David had struck them. And they went to Damascus and lived there, and became king in Damascus."
* [[1 Kings 11:25]]: "He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the trouble that Hadad caused. And he abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram."
In this context, Rezon is introduced as a significant "adversary" (שָׂטָן, satan, `{{H7854}}`) to King Solomon. His background reveals him as a former subordinate of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, from whom he fled. This flight likely occurred during David's military campaigns against Zobah, as suggested by the phrase "when David had struck them." Rezon then gathered a band of men, demonstrating leadership and strategic acumen, and eventually established himself as king in Damascus, the capital of Aram. His rule in Damascus made him a persistent and formidable enemy of Israel throughout Solomon's reign, contributing to the instability and challenges faced by the Israelite kingdom. The narrative explicitly links Rezon's rise and hostility to God's judgment upon Solomon for his idolatry.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to H7331 is its root verb, רָזָן (razan, `{{H7330}}`), which means "to be weighty," "to be a prince," or "to rule." This root is used in various forms to describe rulers or those in authority, as seen in passages like [[Judges 5:3]] (referring to "princes") or [[Habakkuk 1:8]] (describing "princes" or "rulers"). The name Rezon, therefore, etymologically signifies someone who is a "prince" or "ruler," fitting his eventual role as king of Damascus.
Other related concepts include:
* **Adversary (שָׂטָן, satan, `{{H7854}}`):** Rezon is explicitly identified as an adversary raised up by God, a term also applied to Hadad the Edomite in the same chapter. This highlights his role as an instrument of divine judgment.
* **Kingship/Rulership:** Rezon's establishment as king in Damascus places him within the broader biblical theme of human governance and the rise and fall of kingdoms, often under God's sovereign hand.
* **Aram/Syria:** His identity as a Syrian king of Aram connects him to the historical and geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, where Aramaean kingdoms frequently interacted, often hostilely, with Israel.
* **Divine Judgment:** Rezon's role is intrinsically linked to the theological concept of divine judgment, as his rise is presented as a direct consequence of Solomon's unfaithfulness.
### Theological Significance
Rezon's theological significance lies primarily in his role as an instrument of divine judgment. The narrative of 1 Kings 11 makes it clear that God "raised up" Rezon as an "adversary" against Solomon ([[1 Kings 11:23]]) because of Solomon's widespread idolatry and disobedience to the Lord's commands ([[1 Kings 11:9-13]]). Rezon's rise from a fugitive to the king of Damascus, a powerful regional capital, is not portrayed as a mere political contingency but as a direct act of God's sovereignty over the nations.
His persistent hostility against Israel throughout Solomon's reign ([[1 Kings 11:25]]) serves as a tangible manifestation of God's displeasure and the beginning of the fragmentation of Solomon's once-unified and prosperous kingdom. Rezon's story underscores several key theological principles: God's faithfulness to His covenant, even in judgment; His absolute sovereignty over all rulers and nations, using even foreign kings as instruments of His will; and the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, even for a king as blessed and wise as Solomon. Rezon's emergence signifies the erosion of the peace and security that characterized the early part of Solomon's reign, demonstrating that true security rests not in military might or political alliances, but in obedience to God.
### Summary
Rᵉzôwn (H7331), a proper noun derived from the root meaning "prince" or "ruler," identifies a specific historical figure, Rezon, a Syrian. He is prominently featured in [[1 Kings 11:23-25]] as a formidable "adversary" to King Solomon. After fleeing from Hadadezer of Zobah, Rezon gathered a band of followers and established himself as king in Damascus, ruling over Aram. The biblical narrative presents Rezon's rise and his enduring hostility toward Israel as a direct consequence of Solomon's idolatry and disobedience. Theologically, Rezon serves as a powerful instrument of divine judgment, illustrating God's sovereign control over nations and His use of external enemies to bring about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, ultimately contributing to the decline and fragmentation of Solomon's kingdom.
TRV