Lexical Summary Reba: Reba Original Word: רֶבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Reba The same as reba'; Reba, a Midianite -- Reba. see HEBREW reba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raba Definition a king of Midian NASB Translation Reba (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. רֶ֫בַע noun masculine a king of Midian Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21; Ποβοκ, Ποβε(κ). Topical Lexicon Historical Context Reba was one of the five allied kings who ruled Midian during the wilderness period of Israel’s journey. Midian had enticed Israel into the idolatry of Baal-Peor (Numbers 25) and therefore came under divine judgment. Under Moses, Israel mounted a punitive expedition (Numbers 31) that both avenged the covenant violation and safeguarded the nation’s spiritual integrity. Biblical Occurrences • Numbers 31:8 records Reba’s death: “They killed the kings of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword”. Narrative Significance 1. A Symbol of Defiant Opposition. Midian had aligned itself with Balaam’s counsel against Israel (Numbers 31:16). By naming Reba among the slain, Scripture highlights the downfall of those who resist the Lord’s redemptive purposes. Theological Themes • Divine Justice and Mercy. Midian received ample warning through earlier encounters (e.g., Balaam’s failed curses in Numbers 22–24). Reba’s execution came only after persistent hostility, underscoring God’s patience yet uncompromising holiness. Implications for Ministry • Guarding the Flock. Shepherds must remain vigilant against syncretistic influences that could lead congregations astray, just as Moses acted decisively against Midian. Connections within Scripture • Psalm 83:9-12 petitions God to act “as He did to Midian,” evoking the memory of Reba and his fellow kings as an example of total victory over enemies who plot against God’s people. Key Takeaways Reba’s brief appearance underscores the certainty of God’s judgment on persistent rebellion, the necessity of maintaining covenant purity, and the hope that every opposing power will ultimately fall before the sovereign reign of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations רֶ֔בַע רבע re·ḇa‘ reḇa‘ RevaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 31:8 HEB: חוּר֙ וְאֶת־ רֶ֔בַע חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת מַלְכֵ֣י NAS: and Hur and Reba, the five KJV: and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings INT: and Zur and Hur and Reba the five kings Joshua 13:21 2 Occurrences |
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