Jareb
“Adversary or one who contends”
Summary
A symbolic or epithet name for the king of Assyria, meaning 'adversary' or 'contentious,' used by Hosea to describe the futility of Israel seeking Assyrian help.
☩Biblical Context
Jareb appears in Hosea's prophecy where Israel sought help from Assyria against her troubles. The name is probably not a proper name but an epithet meaning 'adversary' or 'one who contends,' applied ironically to the Assyrian king whom Israel wrongly trusted for deliverance. Instead of being a deliverer, the Assyrian king became God's instrument of judgment—an 'avenger' for Israel's sins.
☩Historical Reference
The historical reference may be to Menahem's bribe to Pul (Tiglath-pileser III) or to Ahaz's appeal for Assyrian aid against Syria and Israel. The prophecy proved true: Assyria 'distressed but strengthened not' Israel, and could not 'cure' their wound. Some scholars suggest the Hebrew should be read as 'Great King,' a common Assyrian royal title, rather than as a personal name.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jareb," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Jareb," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jareb," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Jareb," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).