Lexical Summary Rechabyah or Rechabyahu: Rechabiah Original Word: רְחַבְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rehabiah Or Rchabyahuw {rek-ab-yaw'-hoo}; from rachab and Yahh; Jah has enlarged; Rechabjah, an Israelite -- Rehabiah. see HEBREW rachab see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rachab and Yah Definition "Yah has enlarged," grandson of Moses NASB Translation Rehabiah (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs רְחַבְיָ֫ה(וּׅ proper name, masculine son of Eliezer and grandson of Moses: רְחַבְיָה 1 Chronicles 23:17 (twice in verse) (Ρααβια) = יָ֫הוּ- 1 Chronicles 26:25 (Ρα(α)βιας, ᵐ5L Αβια), apparently also 1 Chronicles 24:21 (twice in verse) (Ρααβια, Αβια). Topical Lexicon Meaning of the name Rechabiah (Strong’s Hebrew 7345) carries the sense “Yahweh has enlarged.” The wording points to divine blessing and expansion, a theme that quietly echoes through his family history as his line grows “very many” (1 Chronicles 23:17). Genealogical context • Tribe: Levi Thus Rechabiah stands within the Gershonite branch of Levi, a clan charged with sacred duties tied to the tabernacle and, later, the temple. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Chronicles 23:17; 24:21; 26:25 (with duplication in textual lists) provide five mentions. All appear in the chronicler’s description of David’s late–life organization of the Levites. Place in the Levitical divisions When King David numbered and arranged the Levites, families descended from Gershon received specific assignments (1 Chronicles 23–26). Eliezer had only one recorded son—Rechabiah—yet the chronicler highlights that “the sons of Rechabiah were very many” (1 Chronicles 23:17). Their numerical growth offset Eliezer’s otherwise small household and ensured that Gershonite representation remained strong among temple servants. Descendants and treasurers of the house of the LORD In the roster of temple treasurers, “his brothers through Eliezer: Rechabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son” (1 Chronicles 26:25), Rechabiah anchors a five-generation line culminating in Shelomith, the chief over “all the treasuries of the things dedicated to the LORD” (1 Chronicles 26:26). This stewardship underscores the trust placed in Rechabiah’s family to guard resources devoted to worship. Historical setting Rechabiah lived during the united monarchy, roughly the late tenth century BC, as David prepared for Solomon’s temple. Though the Chronicler writes post-exile, his data reflect actual Davidic reforms (compare 1 Chronicles 23:27–28). Ministry significance 1. Continuity: Rechabiah embodies the principle that even a single faithful son can perpetuate an entire branch of ministry. Theological reflections The Chronicler’s notice that “Eliezer had no other sons” accentuates divine sovereignty; human limitation becomes the stage for God’s enlarging grace. Rechabiah’s lineage supplies personnel for worship generations later, attesting to the Lord’s faithfulness to the Levites’ covenant calling (Numbers 18:21-24). Practical application Believers today may draw encouragement that God ennobles quiet faithfulness. A seemingly minor figure, mentioned only in lists, yet shapes temple history for a century. Hidden service, when offered to God, bears long-term fruitfulness beyond immediate sight. Forms and Transliterations לִרְחַבְיָ֑הוּ לרחביהו רְחַבְיָ֔הוּ רְחַבְיָ֖ה רְחַבְיָ֣ה רְחַבְיָ֨הוּ רחביה רחביהו lir·ḥaḇ·yā·hū lirchavYahu lirḥaḇyāhū rə·ḥaḇ·yā·hū rə·ḥaḇ·yāh rechavYah rechavYahu rəḥaḇyāh rəḥaḇyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 23:17 HEB: בְנֵי־ אֱלִיעֶ֖זֶר רְחַבְיָ֣ה הָרֹ֑אשׁ וְלֹא־ NAS: of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief; KJV: of Eliezer [were], Rehabiah the chief. INT: the son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief no 1 Chronicles 23:17 1 Chronicles 24:21 1 Chronicles 24:21 1 Chronicles 26:25 5 Occurrences |
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