Topical Encyclopedia
Rehum is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the period of the return from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His name, which may mean "compassion" or "merciful," appears in several contexts, reflecting his involvement in the restoration efforts of the Jewish community.
1.
Rehum the Commander: Rehum is first mentioned in the Book of Ezra as a key figure opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. In
Ezra 4:8-9, Rehum is identified as the "commander" who, along with Shimshai the scribe and other officials, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia. This letter was an attempt to halt the reconstruction efforts led by the Jewish exiles. The text states: "Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows" (
Ezra 4:8). Their opposition was temporarily successful, as the king ordered the cessation of the work until further notice.
2.
Rehum the Levite: Another individual named Rehum is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah. This Rehum is listed among the Levites who participated in the public reading and explanation of the Law to the people.
Nehemiah 8:7 records: "The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places" . This Rehum played a role in the spiritual renewal of the community by helping the people understand the Scriptures.
3.
Rehum the Builder: In
Nehemiah 3:17, Rehum is mentioned as one of the leaders involved in the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. He is identified as the leader of a section of the wall, working alongside other community leaders to restore the city's defenses. The verse states: "Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani" . This highlights his active participation in the communal effort to restore Jerusalem.
4.
Rehum in the Genealogies: Rehum is also mentioned in the genealogical records of the post-exilic community. In
Nehemiah 12:3, he is listed among the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. This inclusion in the genealogies underscores his significance within the restored community and his role in the religious life of the people.
Rehum's appearances in the biblical narrative illustrate the diverse roles individuals played during the critical period of Jerusalem's restoration. Whether as an opponent of the rebuilding efforts, a spiritual leader, or a physical laborer, the various individuals named Rehum reflect the complex dynamics of the post-exilic community and their collective efforts to reestablish their identity and faith.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Rehummerciful; compassionate
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Rehum(merciful).
- One who went up from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:2) (B.C. 536.)
- "Rehum the chancellor." (Ezra 4:8,9,17,23) He was perhaps a kind of lieutenant-governor of the province under the king of Persia. (B.C. 535.)
- A Levite of the family of Bani, who assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:17) (B.C. 445.)
- One of the chief of the people, who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:25) (B.C. 410.)
- A priestly family, or the head of a priestly house, who went up with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 12:3) (B.C. 536.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
RehumAn officer of the king of Persia, in Samaria, during the rebuilding of the temple; by an insidious letter to the king he procured an edict for the discontinuance of this work for a time, probably two years or more preceding 520 B.C., when it was resumed.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Merciful.
(1.) One of "the children of the province" who returned from the Captivity (Ezra 2:2); the same as "Nehum" (Nehemiah 7:7).
(2.) The "chancellor" of Artaxerxes, who sought to stir him up against the Jews (Ezra 4:8-24) and prevent the rebuilding of the walls and the temple of Jerusalem.
(3.) A Levite (Nehemiah 3:17).
(4.)Nehemiah 10:25.
(5.) A priest (Nehemiah 12:3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REHUMre'-hum (rechum, or rechum):
(1) One of the twelve heads of the Jewish community returning from captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2Nehemiah 7:7 (by a copyist's error "Nehum");Nehemiah 12:3; 1Es 5:8, "Roimus").
(2) A Persian officer of high rank (literally, "master of judgment, taste, reason") who with others wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17, 23).
(3) Son of Bani, a Levite, one of the wall-builders under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:17).
(4) One of the signers of the covenant inNehemiah 10:25.
(5) InNehemiah 12:3 (omitted in the Septuagint) one Rehum is mentioned with those who went up with Zerubbabel. It is probable that we should read here "Harim" (charim for rechum ofNehemiah 12:15).
W. N. Stearns
Strong's Hebrew
7348. Rchuwm -- "compassion," the name of several Israelites... 7347, 7348. Rchuwm. 7348a . "compassion," the name of several Israelites.
Transliteration: Rchuwm Phonetic Spelling: (rekh-oom') Short Definition:
Rehum.
...7348b. Rechum -- a Pers. official
... official. Transliteration: Rechum Short Definition:Rehum. Word Origin (Aramaic)
of uncertain derivation Definition a Pers. official NASB Word UsageRehum (4)....
7348a. Rechum -- "compassion," the name of several Israelites
... Rechum. 7348b . "compassion," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration:
Rechum Short Definition:Rehum.... NASB Word UsageRehum (4). 7348, 7348a....
Library
Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Rehum (8 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
REHUM.
... (5) In Nehemiah 12:3 (omitted in the Septuagint)
one
Rehum is mentioned with those who went up with Zerubbabel.
...Shimshai (4 Occurrences)
... The shining one, or sunny, the secretary ofRehum the chancellor, who took part
in opposing the rebuilding of the temple after the Captivity (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17-23...
Shim'shai (4 Occurrences)
... Shim'shai (4 Occurrences). Ezra 4:8Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe
wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort-- (See RSV)...
Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against
Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (See NIV)....
Counsellor (16 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS YLT). Ezra 4:8Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a
letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus: (YLT)....
Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wroteRehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the...
Chancellor (3 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)....
Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wroteRehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the...
Scribe (55 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT...
Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wroteRehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the...
Resources
Bible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
