Rekem
“Variegation; friendship”
Summary
Rekem is the name of a Midianite king slain by Israel, a descendant of Judah, and a city in Benjamin.
☩The Midianite King
Rekem was one of the five kings of Midian slain by the Israelites along with Balaam in their avenging expedition. The five kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—are called 'kings' in Numbers but 'princes' or 'chieftains' in Joshua, where they are described as 'dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.' Josephus mentions a city named after this Rekem, which he says was the chief city of Arabia, called Areceme by the Arabs but Petra by the Greeks.
☩Person and Place
A man named Rekem was the third son of Hebron, of the tribe of Judah, and father of Shammai. The name means 'variegation' or 'friendship.' A city called Rekem was also located in the territory of Benjamin, mentioned between Mozah and Irpeel, though its exact site is unknown.
Related Verses5 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rekem," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rekem," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Rekem," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rekem," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).