Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Jareb is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Hosea. The name "Jareb" appears in the context of a prophetic message delivered by Hosea, a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. The identity and role of Jareb have been subjects of scholarly discussion, with interpretations varying among biblical commentators.
Biblical References:The primary reference to Jareb is found in the book of Hosea:
·
Hosea 5:13 : "When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. But he is unable to cure you or heal your wound."
·
Hosea 10:6 : "It will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols."
Interpretation and Analysis:The mention of Jareb in
Hosea 5:13 is enigmatic, as there is no historical record of a king by this name in Assyria. The term "Jareb" is often understood to be a symbolic or descriptive title rather than a proper name. The Hebrew word "Jareb" can be translated as "contender" or "avenger," suggesting a role rather than an identity. This has led some scholars to propose that "King Jareb" refers to a powerful Assyrian ruler, possibly Tiglath-Pileser III or another Assyrian monarch, who was seen as a potential ally or adversary by the Israelites.
In the context of Hosea's prophecy, the reference to Jareb underscores Israel's misguided reliance on foreign powers for deliverance and security. Hosea criticizes the northern kingdom, represented by Ephraim, for seeking help from Assyria instead of turning to God. The prophet warns that such alliances will prove futile, as Assyria will not be able to heal or save Israel from its spiritual and political ailments.
Theological Significance:The mention of Jareb in Hosea serves as a cautionary tale about misplaced trust and the consequences of forsaking divine guidance. The Israelites' appeal to Assyria reflects a broader theme in the prophetic literature: the danger of relying on human strength and political alliances rather than on God's covenantal promises. Hosea's message calls the people of Israel to repentance and a renewed commitment to their relationship with God.
Historical Context:During the time of Hosea's ministry, the northern kingdom of Israel faced significant threats from surrounding nations, particularly the expanding Assyrian Empire. The political landscape was marked by shifting alliances and frequent conflicts. Israel's leaders often sought to secure their position through treaties and tributes to powerful neighbors, including Assyria. Hosea's prophecies address these geopolitical realities, urging the nation to recognize the futility of such strategies in the absence of faithfulness to God.
Conclusion:While the exact identity of Jareb remains uncertain, the figure serves as a symbol of Israel's reliance on foreign powers. Hosea's prophetic message challenges the people to place their trust in God rather than in political alliances, highlighting the spiritual dimensions of their national crisis.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jareba revenger
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jareb(adversary) is to be explained either as the proper name of a country or person, as a noun in apposition, or as a verb from a root,rub , "to contend plead." All these senses are represented in the Authorized Version and the marginal readings, (Hosea 5:13;10:6) and the east preferable has been inserted in the text. Jareb is most probably the name of some city of Assyria or another name of the country itself.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JAREBja'-reb, jar'-eb (yarebh, "let him contend"; Septuagint Iareim):
1. Obscurity of the Name:
Is mentioned twice in Hosea (5:13; 10:6) as an Assyrian king who received tribute from Israel. We do not, however, know of an Assyrian king of that name, or of such a place as is indicated by "the king of Jareb" (5:13 King James Version, margin). Sayce (HCM, 417) thinks Jareb may possibly be the earlier name of Sargon who took Samaria in 722 B.C., as the passages in which it appears seem to relate to the last struggles of the Northern Kingdom. This conjecture he bases on the probability that the successor of Shalmaneser IV, following the example of other usurpers of the Assyrian throne before him, assumed the name of Sargon. Those who hold that Hosea's prophecies are probably not later than 734 B.C. reject this view.
2. Meaning of the Word:
If we take the Hebrew text inHosea 5:13 as it stands (melekh yarebh), Jareb cannot be regarded as the name of a person, owing to the absence of the article before melekh, "king," which is always inserted in such a case. It is probably an epithet or nickname applied to the Assyrian king, as is suggested by the Revised Version margin ("a king that should contend") and the King James Version margin ("the king that should plead"), being derived from the ribh, "to strive." The rendering would then be "King Combat," "King Contentious," indicating Assyria's general hostility to Israel and the futility of applying for help to that quarter against the will of Yahweh. Some suggest that for melekh yarebh we should read malki rabh (i being the old nominative termination), or melekh rabh, "Great King," a title frequently applied to Assyrian monarchs. Others, following the Septuagint, would read melekh ram, "High King."
3. Historical Reference:
The historical reference, if it be to any recorded incident, may be to the attempt of Menahem, king of Israel in 738 B.C., to gain over the Assyrians by a large subsidy to Pul, who assumed the name of Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:19). In this case, as both Epraim and Judah are mentioned in the protasis, we should have to suppose that Ephraim made application on behalf of both kingdoms. If "Judah" be inserted before "sent" to complete the parallel, then the clause would be interpreted of Ahaz, king of Judah, who offered a heavy bribe to Tiglath-pileser to help him to withstand the combined attack of Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel (2 Kings 16:7 f). But perhaps there may be no particular allusions in the two clauses of the apodosis, but only a reference to a general tendency on the part of both kingdoms to seek Assyrian aid.
4. Other Views:
Cheyne would make a violent change in the verse. He would substitute "Israel" for "Judah" as warranted byHosea 12:2, insert "Israel" before "sent," change 'ashshur,"Assyria," into mitstsur, the North Arabian land of Mucri, "references to which underlie many passages in the Old Testament," and for melekh yarebh, he would read melekh `arabhi, "king of Arabia." For other views see ICC.
James Crichton
Strong's Hebrew
3377. Yareb -- "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king... "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king. Transliteration: Yareb Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-rabe') Short Definition:
Jareb.
... king NASB Word Usage
Jareb (2).
...Library
'Fruit which is Death'
... that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.6. It
shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to kingJareb: Ephraim shall...
The Prophet Hosea.
... Asshur alone is the king "warrior" (Jareb), v.13, x.6; he only has received the
divine mission to execute judgment; compare xi.5: "He, ie, Israel, shall not...
'Physicians of no Value'
... HOSEA 'PHYSICIANS OF NO VALUE'. 'When Ephralm saw his sickness, and Judah saw his
wound, then went Ephraim to Assyria, and sent to kingJareb: but he is not...
Storming the Battlements
... The church has very often gone to kingJareb for help, or to the world for aid;
and then God has said to her enemies, "Go ye up against her, but make not a...
The Call and Feast of Levi
... And the complaint is just before it that when Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah
saw his wound, then went Ephraim to Assyria and sent to kingJareb, but he is...
That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party...
... "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the
Assyrian, and sent to kingJareb, yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of...
The Assyrian Captivity
... it. . . . It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to King
Jareb" (Sennacherib). Hosea 8:5, 6; 10:5, 6. "Behold, the...
On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... [1548] John 12:25. [1549] Hosea 10:6: (RV) It also shall be carried unto
Assyria for a present to kingJareb. This passage is applied...
Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Jareb (2 Occurrences)...JAREB.
... We do not, however, know of an Assyrian king of that name, or of such a place
as is indicated by "the king of
Jareb" (5:13 King James Version, margin).
...Contentious (13 Occurrences)
... Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah'saw his wound, then went Ephraim
to Assyria, and sent to kingJareb: but he is not able to heal you...
Jared (7 Occurrences)
Jarah (1 Occurrence)
Baladan (2 Occurrences)
... name is here mentioned may be compared with the Shalman of Hosea 10:14 for the more
fully-written Shalmaneser of 2 Kings 17:3; and with theJareb of Hosea 5:13...
Assyrian (18 Occurrences)
... Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim
to the Assyrian, and sent to kingJareb: yet could he not heal you, nor...
Sores (16 Occurrences)
... Hosea 5:13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went
to Assyria, and sent to kingJareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither...
Cure (28 Occurrences)
... Hosea 5:13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went
to Assyria, and sent to kingJareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither...
Wound (58 Occurrences)
... Hosea 5:13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went
to Assyria, and sent to kingJareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither...
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