Lexical Summary Rogelim: Rogelim Original Word: רֹגלִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rogelim Plural of active participle of ragal; fullers (as tramping the cloth in washing); Rogelim, a place East of the Jordan -- Rogelim. see HEBREW ragal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom regel Definition "(place of) fullers," a place in Gilead NASB Translation Rogelim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs רֹגְלִים proper name, of a location (place of fullers, see רֹגֵל above); &; in Gilead, 2 Samuel 17:27; 2 Samuel 19:32; unknown; ᵐ5 Πωσελ(λ)ειμ, ᵐ5L Πακαβειν. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Rogelim was a town in the pastoral hill‐country of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, probably within the tribal territory of Gad. Scripture places it in the vicinity of Mahanaim and Lo Debar (2 Samuel 17:27), both of which are associated with the region just north of the Jabbok River. While its precise archaeological location remains uncertain, its mention alongside well‐known Gileadite sites indicates a setting on the caravan routes that linked the inland plateau with the Jordan crossings. The terrain favoured sheep and cattle, explaining why a wealthy stock-owner such as Barzillai lived there (2 Samuel 19:32). Occurrences in Scripture 1. 2 Samuel 17:27 – David’s arrival at Mahanaim during Absalom’s rebellion prompts three prominent Transjordanian leaders to supply him and his army. One of them is “Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.” Historical Background The two texts belong to the narrative of Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15–19). Seeking refuge from his son, David crossed the Jordan into Gilead and based himself at Mahanaim. The area, long loyal to David since his earlier exile from Saul (cf. 2 Samuel 2:8–9), again became a safe haven. Rogelim’s inclusion in the account highlights the cohesion that existed between Judah and the Transjordan tribes when the monarchy was threatened. Key Figures Associated with Rogelim Barzillai son of Abihail (1 Kings 2:7) is described as “a very old man, eighty years old,” who “had provided for the king during his stay at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man” (2 Samuel 19:32). His life illustrates: Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Support for God’s Anointed. Rogelim stands as a witness to the biblical principle that those who bless the Lord’s chosen servant share in the covenant’s blessings (Genesis 12:3; Matthew 10:40-42). Lessons for Today • Wealth is a stewardship: Rogelim’s elder turned possessions into ministry that advanced God’s kingdom purposes. Later References and Legacy Post-exilic literature does not mention Rogelim, and the site fades from the biblical record after the reign of David. Yet its memory endures whenever Christians recall Barzillai’s hospitality. In New Testament terms, Rogelim’s generosity anticipates the Macedonians who, “in a severe trial… overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). The town’s brief appearance thus reinforces a permanent biblical motif: God honours those who honour His anointed King. Forms and Transliterations מֵרֹגְלִ֑ים מֵרֹגְלִֽים׃ מרגלים מרגלים׃ mê·rō·ḡə·lîm merogeLim mêrōḡəlîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 17:27 HEB: וּבַרְזִלַּ֥י הַגִּלְעָדִ֖י מֵרֹגְלִֽים׃ NAS: the Gileadite from Rogelim, KJV: the Gileadite of Rogelim, INT: and Barzillai the Gileadite Rogelim 2 Samuel 19:31 2 Occurrences |
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