7254. Reba
Lexical Summary
Reba: Reba

Original Word: רֶבַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Reba`
Pronunciation: RAY-bah
Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-bah)
KJV: Reba
NASB: Reba
Word Origin: [the same as H7253 (רֶבַע - sides)]

1. Reba, a Midianite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Reba

The same as reba'; Reba, a Midianite -- Reba.

see HEBREW reba'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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”.
Joshua 13:21 recalls the same victory when allotting Canaanite territory to the tribes east of the Jordan.

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.
2. Corporate Judgment. The simultaneous fall of five kings shows that divine retribution extended to Midian’s political structure, not merely to isolated individuals.
3. Covenant Preservation. Eliminating Midian’s influence protected Israel from further syncretism. The victory over Reba therefore served the larger goal of keeping the nation distinct for the unfolding plan of redemption.

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.
• Spiritual Warfare. The battle against Midian prefigures the believer’s struggle against sin and false teaching. As Israel eradicated the source of corruption, so the Church is called to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
• Leadership Accountability. Reba’s fate illustrates that those in authority bear heightened responsibility (Luke 12:48). Kings who lead people into idolatry will give an account before the ultimate King.

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.
• Courageous Obedience. Israel’s confrontation with Reba required faith in God’s command despite numerical risk. Modern disciples likewise trust the Lord when confronted with cultural pressures.
• Teaching Holiness. The episode invites preaching on the seriousness of covenant faithfulness and the cost of compromise.

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.
Judges 6–8 recounts another defeat of Midian under Gideon, continuing the motif of the Lord delivering Israel from Midianite oppression.
Revelation 19:11-21 portrays the final Warrior-King who will overthrow all rebellious rulers, of whom Reba is an early foreshadowing.

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‘ Reva
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: חוּר֙ וְאֶת־ רֶ֔בַע נְסִיכֵ֣י סִיח֔וֹן
NAS: and Hur and Reba, the princes
KJV: and Hur, and Reba, [which were] dukes
INT: and Zur and Hur and Reba the princes of Sihon

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7254
2 Occurrences


re·ḇa‘ — 2 Occ.

7253
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