Bible Dictionary
Rehum
Rehum was the name of several men, including a leader returning from exile, a Persian official opposing Jerusalem’s rebuilding, a Levite wall-builder, and others associated with the restored community.
Definition
Rehum, meaning “merciful,” is the name of several men connected with the return from exile and the restored community. They included a returning leader, a Persian official, a Levite wall-builder, a covenant signer, and a priest or postexilic leader.
Biblical Usage
One Rehum returned with Zerubbabel. Another wrote against the rebuilding of Jerusalem to Artaxerxes. A Levite named Rehum helped build the wall, and another signed the covenant recorded by Nehemiah.
Historical Background
The supplied material notes that “Nehum” in one postexilic list may be a copyist’s error for Rehum, and that another occurrence may possibly represent the name Harim.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Merciful. (1.) One of “the children of the province” who returned from the Captivity (Ezra 2:2); the same as “Nehum” (Neh. 7:7). (2.) The “chancellor” of Artaxerxes, who sought to stir him up against the Jews (Ezra 4:8-24) and prevent the rebuilding of the walls and the temple of Jerusalem. (3.) A Levite (Neh. 3:17). (4.) Neh. 10:25. (5.) A priest (Neh. 12:3).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(merciful).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re'-hum (rechum, or rechum):</p><p>(1) One of the twelve heads of the Jewish community returning from captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:2; Ne 7:7 (by a copyist's error "Nehum"); Ne 12:3; /RAPC 1Es 5:8, "Roimus").</p><p>(2) A Persian officer of high rank (literally, "master of judgment, taste, reason") who with others wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes (Ezr 4:8,9,17,23).</p><p>(3) Son of Bani, a Levite, one of the wall-builders under Nehemiah (Ne 3:17).</p><p>(4) One of the signers of the covenant in Ne 10:25.</p><p>(5) In Ne 12:3 (omitted in the Septuagint) one Rehum is mentioned with those who went up with Zerubbabel. It is probable that we should read here "Harim" (charim for rechum of Ne 12:15).</p><p>W. N. Stearns</p>