Rehob רְחוֹב
Father of Hadadezer, king of Zobah
Who is Rehob in the Bible?
Rehob was the father of Hadadezer, the king of the Aramean kingdom of Zobah located in what is now Syria (2 Samuel 8:3). During King David's reign, Hadadezer and his Aramean allies were defeated when they attempted to extend their power toward the Euphrates River, resulting in David's forces capturing significant amounts of gold, silver, and bronze that David dedicated to the Lord (2 Samuel 8:11-12). The mention of Rehob in Scripture serves primarily to identify the lineage of this defeated king and provides historical context for David's military campaigns and the expansion of Israel's dominance in the region during the tenth century BCE.
Biography
Rehob is mentioned as the father of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah (2Sa.8.3, 12). Zobah was an Aramean kingdom located northeast of Israel, in the region of modern-day Syria. During the reign of King David, Hadadezer and his allies were defeated by David's army when they attempted to extend their influence to the Euphrates River (2Sa.8.3-4). David captured a large amount of gold, silver, and bronze from Hadadezer's cities, which he dedicated to the Lord (2Sa.8.11-12). The defeat of Hadadezer and the Arameans of Zobah was a significant victory for David, establishing his dominance in the region and expanding the boundaries of his kingdom. The mention of Rehob as Hadadezer's father provides additional context to the political situation of the time.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Samuel 2 verses
- 2 Samuel 8:3
"David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River."
- 2 Samuel 8:12
"from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רְחוֹב |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Rehob
Israel as reached by the spies. This agrees with the position assigned to Beth-rehob in the narrative of the settlement of the Danites (Jud 18:28). It is mentioned again along with the kingdom of Zobah in connection with the wars of Saul (1Sa 14:47 Septuagint Lag.), and as having been associated with, Zobah and Maacah against David in the Ammonite war and as having been defeated by him (2Sa 10:6). Robinson sought to identify it with Hunin, but it hardly suits the references. Buhl (GAP, 240) following Thomson (LB, II, 547) seeks it at Paneas (modern Banias). This would suit all the requirements of the capital, Beth-rehob, which might then be the second Rehob, assigned as part of the territory of Sidon to the tribe Asher (Jos 19:28,30; Jud 18:28). We must, however, assign to the kingdom of Rehob a territory extending from the settlements of the Danites to the "entering in of Hamath" or to Libo (modern Leboue), i.e. the Great Plain of Coele-Syria bounded by Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon and within the limits indicated.
(2) Two separate towns belonging to Asher (Jos 19:28; 19:30). One of them was given to the Gershonite Levites (Jos 21:31), and one is mentioned as remaining in the hands of the Canaanites (Jud 1:31).
(3) Father of Hadadezer, king of Aram Zobah, who was overwhelmed by David at the Euphrates (2Sa 8:3,12).
(4) One of the Levites who sealed Nehemiah's covenant on the 24th Tishri, 444 BC (Ne 10:11).
W. M. Christie
re-ho-bo'-am (rechabh`am, "the people is enlarged," or perhaps "Am is wide" Rhoboam; "Roboam," Mt 1:7 the King James Version):