Lexical Summary Rchuwm: Rehum Original Word: רְחוּם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rehum A form of rachuwm; Rechum, the name of a Persian and of three Israelites -- Rehum. see HEBREW rachuwm Brown-Driver-Briggs רְחוּם, רְחֻם proper name, masculine (compassion, or softness, Gentleness ?); — post-exilic name: 1 with Zerubbabel: a. רְחוּם Ezra 2:2, A Ιρεουμ’, ᵐ5L Ναουμ ( = נְחוּם "" Nehemiah 7:7). b. priest, רְחֻם Nehemiah 12:3 Ρεουμ ( = חָרִם Nehemiah 12:15, compare Nehemiah 7:42 = Ezra 2:39; Ezra 10:21, see חָרִם 3a). 2 רְחוּם, with Nehemiah: a. Levite Nehemiah 3:17, Βασουθ, א A ᵐ5L Ραουμ. b. Nehemiah 10:26, Ρα[ε]ουμ. רְחוּם proper name, masculine Persian official Ezra 4:8 (usually explained from √ רחם, see Biblical Hebrew; Scheft92 thinks possibly originally רוחם, Old Iranian proper name rukma, = splendour). Topical Lexicon Old Testament OccurrencesRehum (רְחוּם, Strong’s Hebrew 7348) is named eight times in the post-exilic Scriptures (Ezra 2:2; 4:8, 9, 17, 23; Nehemiah 3:17; 10:25; 12:3). The name belongs to four distinct individuals who lived between the first return under Zerubbabel (circa 538 BC) and the wall-building ministry of Nehemiah (circa 445 BC). Historical Profiles 1. Rehum the Returnee – Ezra 2:2 Listed among the leaders who came back from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, he represents the earliest wave of restoration. His presence confirms the fulfillment of prophetic promises that Judah would return and rebuild the house of the Lord (Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 29:10). 2. Rehum the Imperial Official – Ezra 4:8-23 Here Rehum is “the commander” stationed in Samaria who, with Shimshai the scribe, accuses the Jews before King Artaxerxes. His letter temporarily halts work on Jerusalem’s walls: “Then, as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped them by force and power” (Ezra 4:23). This Rehum embodies the relentless opposition faced by the remnant, illustrating that every redemptive advance is contested (1 Peter 5:8). 3. Rehum son of Bani – Nehemiah 3:17; 10:25 A civic leader over half the district of Keilah, he coordinated repairs on a section of the wall. Later he affixed his seal to the nation’s covenant renewal under Nehemiah. His dual appearance highlights the inseparable link between practical service and covenant faithfulness. 4. Rehum the Priest – Nehemiah 12:3 Named among the priestly heads who returned with Zerubbabel, his family later oversaw ministry divisions in the restored temple (compare Nehemiah 12:12-21). The mention underscores the continuity of priestly succession from the exile to Nehemiah’s day. Theological and Ministry Insights Unity amid Diversity The name adorns both covenant keepers and covenant opponents. Scripture thereby reminds readers that spiritual identity is defined not by a title but by allegiance to the Lord (Matthew 7:21-23). Opposition Cannot Thwart God’s Purposes Rehum the imperial official gained a royal decree, yet the prophets “Haggai the prophet and Zechariah…prophesied to the Jews” (Ezra 5:1), and the work resumed. God’s sovereign plan advances in spite of political resistance. Covenant Renewal Requires Leadership Rehum son of Bani models lay leadership that is both administrative and spiritual. Wall builders become covenant signers, showing that effective ministry weds hands-on labor with heart-level commitment. Priestly Continuity Strengthens Worship The priestly Rehum ensures that restored worship is not a novelty but a revival of God-ordained patterns. His lineage ties the second temple community to Aaronic roots, affirming Scripture’s internal consistency. Practical Applications • Expect and endure resistance when advancing God’s work; the Lord overrules hostile “Rehums.” Intertextual Connections Ezra–Nehemiah portrays Rehum’s contrast much like Pharaoh’s officials versus Moses’ elders, or Sanballat versus Nehemiah. Throughout Scripture, opposing pairs frame the battle between obedience and rebellion, clarifying the call to choose whom we will serve (Joshua 24:15). Concluding Reflection The eight mentions of Rehum trace a spectrum—from pioneering returnee, to adversary, to devoted leader, to priestly patriarch. Together they illustrate that God’s redemptive program weaves through human freedom and opposition, yet always accomplishes His restorative design for His people. Forms and Transliterations רְח֛וּם רְח֣וּם רְח֤וּם רְח֥וּם רְחֻ֖ם רחום רחם rə·ḥum rə·ḥūm reChum rəḥum rəḥūmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:2 HEB: מִסְפָּ֥ר בִּגְוַ֖י רְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה מִסְפַּ֕ר NAS: Bigvai, Rehum [and] Baanah. KJV: Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. INT: Mispar Bigvai Rehum Baanah the number Ezra 4:8 Ezra 4:9 Ezra 4:17 Ezra 4:23 Nehemiah 3:17 Nehemiah 10:25 Nehemiah 12:3 8 Occurrences |
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