Reuel רְעוּאֵל
A Benjamite, son of Ibnijah
Who is Reuel in the Bible?
Reuel in the Bible refers to a Benjamite mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically listed as the son of Ibnijah in 1 Chronicles 9:8. He appears among the families documented as living in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, though no further details about his personal life or role are provided in Scripture. Some scholars also connect the name Reuel to Moses' father-in-law, who is called both Reuel and Jethro in Exodus 2:16-21 and other passages, suggesting Reuel may have been a clan name rather than an individual's sole personal name. The inclusion of Reuel in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles serves the important function of preserving the family lines and tribal continuity of Benjamin after the people's return from exile.
Biography
Reuel is briefly mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.9.8). He was the son of Ibnijah, who was a descendant of Benjamin, the youngest son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 9 lists some of the prominent families and individuals who lived in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It is possible that Reuel and his family were among those who returned to Jerusalem and settled there. However, no additional information is provided about Reuel's life or specific role within the tribe of Benjamin. His inclusion in the genealogy serves to document the family lines and descendants of Benjamin.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 9:8
"Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רְעוּאֵל | Reuel , the name of Moses' father-in-law, also of an Edomite and an Israelite |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Reuel
0,13,17; 1Ch 1:35,37) and the father of the father-in-law of Moses, Hobab (Nu 10:29). In the account of the marriage of Zipporah to Moses (Ex 2:16-21) Jethro seems to be called Reuel (compare HOBAB). The various names of Jethro perplexed the Talmudists, too; some held that his real name was "Hobab," and that Reuel was his father. Reuel is probably a clan name (Gray, "Nu," ICC), and Hobab is a member of the clan ("son") of Reuel (Nu 10:29, the King James Version reads "Raguel").
(2) The father of Eliasaph, the prince of Gad (Nu 2:14), called (by some copyist's mistake) "Deuel" in Nu 1:14; 7:42,47; 10:20. The Septuagint has uniformly Rhagouel.
(3) A Benjamite (1Ch 9:8). Horace J. Wolf
roo'-ma (re'umah): The concubine of Nahor (Ge 22:24).
rev-e-la'-shun: