Original Word: רְחֹב
Part of Speech: proper name; location; Aramaic name, masculine
Transliteration: Rchob
Pronunciation: reh-KHOB
Phonetic Spelling: (rekh-obe')
KJV: Rehob
NASB: Rehob
Word Origin: [the same as H7339 (רְחוֹב רְחוֹב - square)]

1. Rechob, the name of a place in Syria, also of a Syrian and an Israelite

Rehob

Or Rchowb {rekh-obe'}; the same as rchob; Rechob, the name of a place in Syria, also of a Syrian and an Israelite -- Rehob.

see HEBREW rchob

Word Origin
from rachab
Definition
places in Aram (Syria) and Pal., also an Aramean (Syrian) and an Isr.
NASB Translation
Rehob (10).

II. רְחוֺב, רְחֹב proper name Ρααβ, Ροωβ, etc.:

1 (compare Lag^{BN 56 f.})

location: a. towards Hamath, רְחוֺב 2 Samuel 10:8 (ᵐ5^L Βαιθρααβ), רְחֹב Numbers 13:21 (P); = ׳בֵּית ר q. v. p. 112 (also ᵐ5 1 Samuel 14:47 Βαιθεωρ, ᵐ5^L Βαιθροωβι).

b. רְחב in Asher: (1) Joshua 19:28 (P); (2) [perhaps = (1)], Joshua 19:30 (P), Judges 1:31, Levitical city Joshua 21:31 (P) = 1 Chronicles 6:60; Egyptian Raµubu, north of Kishon, WMM^{As.u.Eur.153.}

2. masculine: a. Aramaic name, רְחֹב 2 Samuel 8:3,12.

b. post-exilic Levite, רְחוֺב Nehemiah 10:12.

Meaning and Scope

Rehob (Strong’s Hebrew 7340, רְחֹב) designates both people and places in the Old Testament. The core idea of the root conveys spaciousness or broadness, and this nuance is reflected in the various settings where the name appears.

Occurrences at a Glance

1. A northern landmark at the edge of Canaan (Numbers 13:21).
2. Two fortified towns allotted to the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:28, 30).
3. One of those Asherite towns given to the Gershonite Levites (Joshua 21:31; 1 Chronicles 6:75).
4. A city the tribe of Asher failed to dispossess fully (Judges 1:31).
5. The father of Hadadezer, king of Zobah in Aram (2 Samuel 8:3, 12).
6. A distinct Aramean polity that opposed David (2 Samuel 10:8).
7. A post-exilic priestly signer of the covenant renewal (Nehemiah 10:11).

Geographical and Historical Significance

• Gateway to Canaan: Numbers 13:21 records the Israelite spies journeying “from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath,” marking Rehob as the northern extreme of their reconnaissance. This establishes the breadth of the land God promised and later delivered (compare Deuteronomy 11:24).

• Asherite Strongholds: Rehob’s two locations in Asher (Joshua 19:28, 30) lay near the Phoenician coast, likely controlling interior routes from the Mediterranean toward the Beqaa Valley. Their eventual assignment to the Gershonites (Joshua 21:31) underscores God’s care that the Levites be scattered “throughout the tribes” (Genesis 49:7), allowing teaching ministry in borderland regions often influenced by pagan trade.

• Unfinished Conquest: Judges 1:31 records Asher’s failure to expel Rehob’s Canaanite inhabitants. The continuing pagan presence contributed to syncretism that surfaced in Elijah’s conflict with Baal worship centuries later (1 Kings 18). Rehob thus warns of the spiritual consequences of partial obedience.

• Aramean Power Center: In 2 Samuel 8:3, 12, Rehob is the father of Hadadezer, whose kingdom of Zobah dominated Syrian trade routes to the Euphrates. David’s victory over “Hadadezer son of Rehob” secured Israel’s northern frontier and fulfilled God’s word that He would “subdue all your enemies” (2 Samuel 7:9). The distinction between “the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob” (2 Samuel 10:8) suggests a confederation of Syrian city-states, one of which bore the same name. David’s defeat of that alliance foreshadows Messiah’s universal reign over hostile nations (Psalm 2:9).

• Post-exilic Covenant Renewal: Nehemiah 10:11 lists “Rehob” among priests sealing the covenant. Whether this name reflects a family line from the ancient town or simply bears the historic name, its appearance in the covenant document ties the restoration community to Israel’s earlier heritage and to God’s unbroken promises.

Thematic Insights

1. Breadth of Promise: From the spies’ northern limit to David’s extended dominion, Rehob frames the expanding realization of God’s land grant (Genesis 15:18). It symbolizes the broad place into which the Lord brings His people (Psalm 18:19).

2. Consequences of Compromise: Asher’s tolerance of Canaanite Rehob exemplifies the danger of leaving “footholds” for idolatry (Ephesians 4:27). Persistent pockets of disobedience can hinder future generations’ faithfulness.

3. Victory through Covenant Faithfulness: David’s conquests over Rehob’s Arameans are repeatedly credited to the Lord (2 Samuel 8:6). Military success flows from God’s covenant with David and prefigures Christ’s ultimate triumph over spiritual adversaries.

4. Restoration and Continuity: The priest named Rehob in Nehemiah’s day illustrates how the Lord preserves names, lineages, and ministries across exile and return, ensuring continuity in worship and witness.

Ministry Applications

• Strategic Borders: Churches situated at cultural “borderlands” can model Rehob’s Levites by teaching truth where worldly influences are strongest, reaffirming that sound doctrine belongs in every corner of God’s inheritance.

• Complete Obedience: Leaders should heed the Rehob of Judges 1:31 as a call to address lingering sin decisively, lest it become entrenched and corrosive.

• Prayer for Nations: David’s encounters with Aramean Rehob invite believers to intercede for modern geopolitical hotspots, trusting God’s sovereign hand to further His redemptive plan among all peoples.

• Covenant Renewal: The mention of Rehob in Nehemiah 10 encourages periodic recommitment to God’s Word within congregations, sealing anew what has been graciously promised.

Key Texts

Numbers 13:21 — “So they went up and explored the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath.”

2 Samuel 8:3 — “David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when Hadadezer went to restore his control along the Euphrates.”

2 Samuel 10:8 — “The Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah deployed themselves in the field to battle.”

Joshua 21:31 — “Helkath, Rehob—four cities from the tribe of Asher.”

Nehemiah 10:11 — “Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah.”

וּרְחֹ֑ב וּרְחֹ֖ב וּרְחוֹב֙ ורחב ורחוב רְח֖וֹב רְחֹ֖ב רְחֹֽב׃ רחב רחב׃ רחוב rə·ḥō·wḇ rə·ḥōḇ reCho reChov rəḥōḇ rəḥōwḇ ū·rə·ḥō·wḇ ū·rə·ḥōḇ ureCho urechOv ūrəḥōḇ ūrəḥōwḇInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts