Rehob
“Broad place or open square”
Summary
Rehob refers to two men in the Old Testament and several places in northern Palestine, including the northern limit of the Israelite spies' exploration.
☩Persons Named Rehob
Two individuals bear this name in Scripture. The first is the father of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, whom David defeated at the Euphrates. This name may have had some connection with the Syrian district of Rehob or Beth-rehob. The second is a Levite who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah after the return from exile.
☩The Place in Northern Palestine
The most significant place called Rehob marked the northern limit of the exploration by the twelve spies sent into Canaan, described as being "as men come unto Hamath." This location was near the sources of the Jordan, not far from Dan (Tell el-Kady) and Banias. It is identified with Beth-rehob in Judges 18:28, which was in the valley where Laish (Dan) was situated. This same region appears in 2 Samuel 10:6-8, where the Syrians of Beth-rehob joined Ammon against David.
☩Cities in Asher
Two towns named Rehob were located in the territory of Asher. One appears to have been near Sidon, while the other was allotted to the Gershonite Levites. The Canaanite inhabitants of one of these cities were not driven out by the tribe of Asher. The exact locations of these towns remain uncertain, though various identifications have been proposed including Tell Kurdany south of the river Belus.
Related Verses12 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rehob," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rehob," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rehob," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Rehob," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rehob (1)," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).