1. Meaning and Etymology:
Rehoboth is a Hebrew term meaning "broad places" or "room." The name signifies a place of expansion and freedom, often associated with God's provision and blessing.

2. Biblical References:

A. Rehoboth in the Life of Isaac:
Rehoboth is most notably mentioned in the context of Isaac's life in Genesis 26. After experiencing conflict over wells with the Philistines, Isaac's servants dug another well, and there was no dispute over it. Isaac named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has given us room, and we will be fruitful in the land" (Genesis 26:22). This event symbolizes God's faithfulness and provision, granting Isaac space to thrive without contention.

B. Rehoboth-Ir:
Rehoboth-Ir is mentioned in Genesis 10:11 as a city built by Asshur, a descendant of Noah through Shem. The verse states, "From that land he went forth into Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah" (Genesis 10:11). This reference places Rehoboth-Ir in the context of the early post-flood civilizations and the expansion of human settlements.

3. Theological Significance:

A. God's Provision and Peace:
The account of Rehoboth in Genesis 26 highlights a theme of divine provision and peace. Isaac's experience at Rehoboth serves as a testament to God's ability to provide for His people even amidst strife and opposition. The well at Rehoboth represents a place of rest and abundance, where God's promises are fulfilled.

B. Expansion and Growth:
The name Rehoboth itself, meaning "broad places," suggests a theme of growth and expansion. In the biblical narrative, it signifies a turning point where limitations are removed, and there is room for prosperity and development. This can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the removal of obstacles in the believer's life.

4. Historical and Cultural Context:

A. Wells in Ancient Near Eastern Culture:
Wells were vital in the arid regions of the Near East, serving as essential sources of water for survival and agriculture. The digging and ownership of wells often led to disputes, as seen in Isaac's interactions with the Philistines. The resolution at Rehoboth reflects a significant moment of peace and stability in a nomadic and agrarian society.

B. Urban Development in Early Civilizations:
Rehoboth-Ir, mentioned alongside Nineveh and Calah, indicates the early development of urban centers in Mesopotamia. These cities were significant in the spread of culture, trade, and political power in the ancient world.

5. Rehoboth in Christian Thought:

In Christian thought, Rehoboth is often seen as a symbol of God's faithfulness and the believer's journey towards spiritual maturity. The account of Isaac at Rehoboth encourages believers to trust in God's timing and provision, even when faced with challenges and opposition. It serves as a reminder that God can create space for growth and blessing in the lives of His people.Rehoboth

spaces; places

Rehoboth

(wide places , i.e. streets).

1. The third of the series of wells dug by Isaac, (Genesis 26:22) in the Philistines' territory, lately identified as er-Ruheibeh , 16 miles south of Beersheba.
2. One of the four cities built by Asshur, or by Nimrod in Asshur, according as this difficult passage is translated. (Genesis 10:11) Nothing certain is known of its position.
3. The city of a certain Saul or Shaul, one of the early kings of the Edomites. (Genesis 36:37; 1 Chronicles 1:48) The affix "by the river" fixes the situation of Rehoboth as on the Euphrates.

Rehoboth

1. A city of ancient Assyria, site unknown, Genesis 10:11.

2. A place in the wilderness south of Gerar and Beersheba, so named by Isaac on the occasion of his digging a well there, Genesis 26:22.

3. A city on the Euphrates, thought to be the modern Er-rahabeh, south of Carchemish, Genesis 36:37; 1 Chronicles 1:48; 17:3

Broad places.

(1.) A well in Gerar dug by Isaac (Genesis 26:22), supposed to be in Wady er-Ruheibeh, about 20 miles south of Beersheba.

(2.) An ancient city on the Euphrates (Genesis 36:37; 1 Chronicles 1:48), "Rehoboth by the river."

(3.) Named among the cities of Asshur (Genesis 10:11). Probably, however, the words "rehoboth'ir" are to be translated as in the Vulgate and the margin of A.V., "the streets of the city," or rather "the public square of the city", i.e., of Nineveh.

REHOBOTH

re-ho'-both, re-ho'-both (rehobhoth, "broad places"; Euruchoria): One of the wells dug by Isaac (Genesis 26:22). It is probably the Rubuta of the Tell el-Amarna Letters (Petrie, numbers 256, 260; see also The Expository Times, XI, 239 (Konig), 377 (Sayce)), and it is almost certainly identical with the ruin Ruchaibeh, 8 hours Southwest of Beersheba. Robinson (BR, I, 196-97) describes the ruins of the ancient city as thickly covering a "level tract of 10 to 12 acres in extent"; "many of the dwellings had each its cistern, cut in the solid rock"; "once this must have been a city of not less than 12,000 or 15,000 inhabitants. Now it is a perfect field of ruins, a scene of unutterable desolation, across which the passing stranger can with difficulty find his way." Huntington (Palestine and Its Transformation, 124) describes considerable remains of a suburban population extending both to the North and to the South of this once important place.

E. W. G. Masterman

REHOBOTH BY THE RIVER

(rehobhoth ha-nahar; Codex Vaticanus Rhooboth (Rhoboth in Chronicles) he para potamon; Codex Alexandrinus Rhoboth): This city is mentioned only as the residence of Shaul, one of the rulers of Edom (Genesis 36:37 1 Chronicles 1:48). There is nothing to guide us with certainty as to the situation of the city. Eusebius (Onomasticon) places it in Idumaea (Gebalene), but no trace of a name resembling this has been found in the district. "The river" usually means the Euphrates. If the city could have been so far from Edom, it might be identified with Rahaba on the West of the river, 8 miles South of its confluence with the Khabur. Winckler thinks it might possibly be on the boundary between Palestine and Egypt, "the river" being Wady el-`Arish, "the brook of Egypt" (Numbers 5 Joshua 15:4, etc.).

W. Ewing

7344. Rechoboth -- "broad places," a well dug by Isaac, also two ...
... location. Transliteration: Rechoboth or Rechoboth Phonetic Spelling:
(rekh-o-both') Short Definition: Rehoboth. Word ... 1). Rehoboth. ...
/hebrew/7344.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxvi
... And Samlah died, and there ruled in his stead Shaul from Rehoboth-hannahar. ...
5. Samlah"from Masrekah. 6. Shaul"from Rehoboth-hannahar. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

The History after the Flood.
... And Nimrod built the cities Nineveh and Rehoboth, and Calah, and Resen, between
Nineveh and Calah; and Nineveh became a very great city. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not:
and be called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... The patriarch"the first to receive a promise of Christ"is here told to leave the
Chaldees, to leave the city of confusion [940] and its rehoboth [941] or ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm

Concerning the Sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob; of their Nativity ...
... He named this well Rehoboth, which denotes a large space; but of the former wells,
one was called Escon, which denotes strife, the other Sitenna, name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 18 concerning the sons.htm

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... Out of that land went forth Assur, and built Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and
Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah: this was a great city." Now this ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

Chapter xxvi
... So he called its name Rehoboth (Plenty of room), saying: For now Yahweh
has given us room and we shall be fruitful in the land. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Chapter x
... From that region he went forth to Assyria and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-ir, and
Calah and Resen, between Nineveh and Calah"this is that great city. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Nothing but Leaves
... and deal damnation round the land with amazing liberality to all who are not full
weight according to the balance of their little Zoar, Rehoboth, or Jireh ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/nothing but leaves.htm

Hymns, Festival and Occasional.
... of "Sherburne," "Windham," "Russia," "Stafford," "Lisbon," and many other tunes
characteristic of a bygone school of psalmody, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Nov ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xiii hymns festival and.htm

Rehoboth (4 Occurrences)
... (2.) An ancient city on the Euphrates (Genesis 36:37; 1 Chronicles 1:48), "Rehoboth
by the river.". ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REHOBOTH. ...
/r/rehoboth.htm - 10k

Rehoboth-ir (1 Occurrence)
Rehoboth-ir. Rehobothir, Rehoboth-ir. Reho'both-ir . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia REHOBOTH-IR. r.-ur, r.-ir (rehobhoth ...
/r/rehoboth-ir.htm - 8k

Reho'both (3 Occurrences)
Reho'both. Rehoboth, Reho'both. Rehobothir . ... Genesis 36:37 And Samlah died,
and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead. (See RSV). ...
/r/reho'both.htm - 7k

Rehobothir
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia REHOBOTH-IR. r.-ur, r.-ir (rehobhoth `ir,
"Rehoboth City"; Septuagint he Rhohbos (Rhooboth) polis ...
/r/rehobothir.htm - 8k

Calah (2 Occurrences)
... "Out of that land he [ie, Nimrod] went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh,
Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah, and Resen" (Genesis 10:11, RV). ...
/c/calah.htm - 14k

Reho'both-ir (1 Occurrence)
... Rehoboth-ir, Reho'both-ir. Rehokim . ... Genesis 10:11 Out of that land went forth
Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and Rehoboth-ir, and Calah, (See RSV). ...
/r/reho'both-ir.htm - 6k

Euphra'tes (33 Occurrences)
... mountain of Gilead. (See RSV). Genesis 36:37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth
by the river, reigned in his place. (See RSV). Exodus 23 ...
/e/euphra'tes.htm - 16k

Shaul (10 Occurrences)
... Shaul (10 Occurrences). Genesis 36:37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the
river, reigned in his place. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/shaul.htm - 10k

Samlah (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 36:37 Samlah died,
and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place. ...
/s/samlah.htm - 7k

Sitnah (1 Occurrence)
... It has been identified with the modern Shutneh, in the valley of Gerar, to the west
of Rehoboth, about 20 miles south of Beersheba. Int. ... See REHOBOTH. ...
/s/sitnah.htm - 7k

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