Rekem is identified in the Bible as one of the five kings of Midian who were defeated and killed by the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The account of Rekem and his fellow Midianite kings is found in the Book of Numbers, which details the events surrounding the Israelites' conquest of the Midianites as part of their broader campaign to enter the Promised Land.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Rekem's demise is recorded in Numbers 31. The Lord commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in leading the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Peor, an event that had previously brought a severe plague upon the Israelite camp (Numbers 25). In obedience to God's command, Moses sent a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel to wage war against Midian. The Israelite forces, led by Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, were successful in their campaign.

Numbers 31:7-8 states: "They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword."

Rekem, along with the other Midianite kings, was killed in this divinely sanctioned battle. The defeat of these kings signified a significant victory for the Israelites, as it not only avenged the earlier transgressions at Peor but also demonstrated the Lord's continued support and guidance for His chosen people.

Historical and Theological Context

The Midianites were a nomadic people who often came into conflict with the Israelites. Their territory was located in the region east of the Jordan River, and they were known for their wealth and influence. The Midianites' involvement in leading Israel into sin at Peor was a direct challenge to the covenant relationship between God and His people, necessitating divine retribution.

Rekem's death, along with that of the other Midianite kings, serves as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will and leading His people astray. The narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the seriousness with which God regards the holiness of His people.

Legacy

The account of Rekem and the other Midianite kings is a testament to the justice and sovereignty of God in the history of Israel. It highlights the theme of divine retribution against those who seek to undermine God's purposes and the protection He provides to His covenant people. The account of Rekem is a part of the larger biblical narrative that illustrates the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the history of Israel.Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
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Joshua 13:21
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
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Who was Hur in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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