Rehum
“Compassionate; merciful”
Summary
Rehum is the name of five men in the Old Testament, most notably a Persian official who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
☩The Persian Chancellor
The most prominent Rehum was a Persian officer in Samaria, described as 'the chancellor' (literally 'lord of decree'). He was joint author with Shimshai of a letter to King Artaxerxes that turned him against the building plans of the Jews. When Artaxerxes responded favorably to their complaint, Rehum and his companions went to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop building.
☩Other Men Named Rehum
Another Rehum was one of the 'children of the province' who returned from Babylonian captivity with Zerubbabel, called Nehum in the parallel passage. A Levite named Rehum, son of Bani, helped rebuild the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. A fourth Rehum was one of the chief Israelites who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. A fifth Rehum was a priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rehum," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rehum," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Rehum," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rehum," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).