Bible Dictionary
Rehob
Rehob was the name of several places and persons, including a northern kingdom or region, two towns in Asher, the father of Hadadezer, and a Levite who signed Nehemiah’s covenant.
Definition
Rehob, meaning “broad” or “broad place,” is the name of several persons, places, and a northern kingdom. It may refer to Beth-rehob, two towns in Asher, the father of Hadadezer, and a Levite who signed Nehemiah’s covenant.
Biblical Usage
Rehob was a northern territory or kingdom associated with Zobah and involved in conflicts with Saul and David. Two towns called Rehob belonged to Asher; one was given to Gershonite Levites and another remained in Canaanite possession. Other Rehobs appear in genealogies and covenant lists.
Historical Background
The northern Rehob may have extended from the settlements of the Danites toward the entrance of Hamath, in the plain between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon. Proposed identifications include Hunin and Paneas, though the location is not certain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Street; broad place. (1.) The father of Hadadezer, king of Tobah (2 Sam. 8:3, 12). (2.) Neh. 10:11. (3.) The same, probably, as Beth-rehob (2 Sam. 10:6, 8; Judg. 18:28), a place in the north of Palestine (Num. 13:21). It is now supposed to be represented by the castle of Hunin, south-west of Dan, on the road from Hamath into Coele-Syria. (4.) A town of Asher (Josh. 19:28), to the east of Zidon. (5.) Another town of Asher (Josh. 19:30), kept possession of by the Canaanites (Judg. 1:31).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re'-hob (rechobh; Rhoob, Rhaab):</p><p>(1) Etymologically the word means "broad" and might be applied either to a road or a plain. Rehob is given (Nu 13:21) as the northern limit of Israel as reached by the spies. This agrees with the position assigned to Beth-rehob in the narrative of the settlement of the Danites (Jud 18:28). It is mentioned again along with the kingdom of Zobah in connection with the wars of Saul (1Sa 14:47 Septuagint Lag.), and as having been associated with, Zobah and Maacah against David in the Ammonite war and as having been defeated by him (2Sa 10:6). Robinson sought to identify it with Hunin, but it hardly suits the references. Buhl (GAP, 240) following Thomson (LB, II, 547) seeks it at Paneas (modern Banias). This would suit all the requirements of the capital, Beth-rehob, which might then be the second Rehob, assigned as part of the territory of Sidon to the tribe Asher (Jos 19:28,30; Jud 18:28). We must, however, assign to the kingdom of Rehob a territory extending from the settlements of the Danites to the "entering in of Hamath" or to Libo (modern Leboue), i.e. the Great Plain of Coele-Syria bounded by Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon and within the limits indicated.</p><p>(2) Two separate towns belonging to Asher (Jos 19:28; 19:30). One of them was given to the Gershonite Levites (Jos 21:31), and one is mentioned as remaining in the hands of the Canaanites (Jud 1:31).</p><p>(3) Father of Hadadezer, king of Aram Zobah, who was overwhelmed by David at the Euphrates (2Sa 8:3,12).</p><p>(4) One of the Levites who sealed Nehemiah's covenant on the 24th Tishri, 444 BC (Ne 10:11).</p><p>W. M. Christie</p>