The Hebrew word Rᵉchôb, represented by H7340, is a proper name used for a place in Syria, a Syrian individual, and an Israelite. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible. While its base definition is simply a name, its usage in scripture connects it to significant events in Israel's history, from the initial spying of the promised land to the wars of King David.
In the biblical narrative, H7340 is used in several distinct contexts. It is the name of the father of Hadadezer H1909, the king H4428 of Zobah H6678 whom David H1732 defeated (2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 8:12). It also appears as the name of an Israelite alongside Micha H4316 and Hashabiah H2811 Nehemiah 10:11. Geographically, Rehob H7340 marks the northern limit of the land H776 explored by the spies sent by Moses Numbers 13:21. It is also identified as a city H5892 within the tribal territory of Asher H836, which the Israelites failed to conquer initially Judges 1:31, but was later designated as a Levitical city Joshua 21:31. The Syrians of Rehob H7340 were also among those who fought against David's army 2 Samuel 10:8.
Several related words clarify the context in which Rehob H7340 appears:
- H1909 Hădadʻezer (Hadadezer): Defined as "Hadad (is his) help; Hadadezer, a Syrian king," he was the son H1121 of Rehob H7340 and an adversary of David H1732 2 Samuel 8:3.
- H836 ʼÂshêr (Asher): This son of Jacob and the tribe descended from him was allotted the territory that included the city of Rehob H7340 Joshua 19:28. However, Asher H836 did not initially drive out H3423 its inhabitants H3427 Judges 1:31.
- H4054 migrâsh (suburb): This term, meaning an open area around a building, is used to describe the land accompanying Levitical cities. Rehob H7340 is listed as one of these cities "with her suburbs" H4054 Joshua 21:31.
- H6678 Tsôwbâʼ (Zobah): A region in Syria, its king H4428 was Hadadezer H1909, the son of Rehob H7340. The Syrians of Zobah H6678 and Rehob H7340 later arrayed for battle H4421 against Israel 2 Samuel 10:8.
The significance of H7340 is woven into the geography and conflicts of Israel.
- Geographic and Covenantal Landmark: Rehob H7340 serves as a critical boundary marker for the promised land H776 Numbers 13:21. It is also included in the tribal inheritance of Asher H836 Joshua 19:28 and later designated as a Levitical city H5892 with suburbs H4054, giving it a sacred role in Israel's settlement Joshua 21:31.
- Symbol of Conflict and Conquest: The name is associated with Israel's military struggles. The city of Rehob H7340 was a place Asher H836 initially failed to conquer Judges 1:31. The Syrian king H4428 Hadadezer H1909, son H1121 of Rehob H7340, was a formidable enemy defeated by David H1732 2 Samuel 8:3. The Syrians of Rehob H7340 were hired as mercenaries by the Ammonites to fight Israel 2 Samuel 10:8.
- Personal Identity: Beyond places and foreign adversaries, the name Rehob H7340 is also held by an Israelite, listed among those with Micha H4316 and Hashabiah H2811 in a community record Nehemiah 10:11, showing its integration into Israelite identity.
In summary, H7340 Rᵉchôb is a multifaceted proper name that appears as a person and a place, connecting different eras of biblical history. It functions as a geographical boundary, a site of incomplete conquest, a Levitical city, the origin of a major Syrian adversary to King David, and the name of a faithful Israelite. Through its various appearances, Rehob H7340 illustrates how a single name can thread through the narratives of exploration, settlement, conflict, and community in the Old Testament.
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