Rehum רְחוּם

Rehum is mentioned in the book of Ezra as a high-ranking Persian official who held the title of "commander" (Ezr.4.8, 9, 17, 23). When the enemies of the Jews learned that they had begun rebuilding the temple and the city walls of Jerusalem, they wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes to persuade him to stop the work (Ezr.4.7-16). Rehum was one of the officials who signed this letter, along with Shimshai the scribe and others (Ezr.4.9). In the letter, they accused the Jews of rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city that had a history of causing trouble for kings (Ezr.4.12-16). As a result, Artaxerxes ordered the work to be stopped until further notice (Ezr.4.17-22). Rehum and his associates then went to Jerusalem and forcibly made the Jews stop building (Ezr.4.23). This opposition delayed the completion of the temple and the city walls until the reign of King Darius (Ezr.4.24). Rehum's actions demonstrate the political challenges faced by the Jews as they sought to rebuild Jerusalem after returning from Babylonian exile.