Reba רֶ֫בַע
A Midianite king killed by the Israelites
Who is Reba in the Bible?
Reba was one of the five kings of Midian who was killed by the Israelites during the time of Moses, as recorded in Numbers 31:8 and Joshua 13:21. The Midianites, a nomadic desert people, had engaged in hostilities against Israel and seduced the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, prompting God to command Moses to execute a war of vengeance against them. Under the leadership of Phinehas, the Israelite army defeated the Midianites and killed all five of their kings, including Reba, in a decisive military victory. The death of Reba and his fellow kings marked the elimination of a significant threat to Israel and represented God's judgment against Midianite wickedness and protection of Israel's spiritual purity.
Biography
Reba was one of the five kings of Midian who were defeated and killed by the Israelites during the time of Moses (Num.31.8; Jos.13.21). The Midianites were a nomadic people who lived in the desert regions south and east of Canaan. They had engaged in hostilities against Israel and had led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). As a result, God commanded Moses to carry out a war of vengeance against the Midianites. The Israelite army, led by Phinehas, defeated the Midianites and killed their five kings, including Reba. The victory over the Midianites was seen as a judgment against their wickedness and a protection of Israel's spiritual and moral purity. The death of Reba and the other Midianite kings marked the end of a significant threat to Israel's existence and integrity.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 31:8
"Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword."
Joshua 1 verse
- Joshua 13:21
"all the cities of the plateau and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon until Moses killed him and the chiefs of Midian (Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba), the princes of Sihon who lived in the land."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רֶ֫בַע |
Reba
ref>; Jos 13:21). Like his comrades, he is termed a "king" in Numbers, but a "chief" or "prince" in Joshua.
re-bek'-a (ribhqah; Septuagint and New Testament Rhebekka, whence the usual English spelling Rebecca): Daughter of Bethuel and an unknown mother, grand-daughter of Nahor and Milcah, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, mot