Bible Dictionary
Rekem
Rekem was the name of a Midianite king killed by Israel, a Calebite family head, and a town in Benjamin. The related name Rakem refers to a descendant of Machir.
Definition
Rekem is the name of a Midianite king killed by Israel, a son of Hebron and head of a Calebite family, and a town in Benjamin. The name is associated in the supplied material with friendship or variegation.
Biblical Usage
Rekem was one of the five Midianite rulers slain by Israel under Moses. Another Rekem appears in a Calebite genealogy, and a town of that name belonged to Benjamin.
Historical Background
The site of the Benjamite town is unknown. Numbers calls the Midianite Rekem a king, while Joshua calls him a prince or chieftain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Embroidered; variegated. (1.) One of the five Midianite kings whom the Israelites destroyed (Num. 31:8). (2.) One of the sons of Hebron (1 Chr. 2:43, 44). (3.) A town of Benjamin (Josh. 18:27).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
one of the towns of the allotment of Benjamin. (Joshua 18:27) Its existing site is unknown. (variegation).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re'-kem (rekem, "friendship"):</p><p>(1) One of the five kings of Midian slain by the Israelites under Moses (Nu 31:8; Jos 13:21 (Codex Vaticanus Rhobok; Codex Alexandrinus Rhokom)). Like his companions, he is called a "king" in Numbers, but a "prince" or "chieftain" in the passage in Josh. The two references are hardly related; both are based on an earlier tradition.glish Language, 398). the Revised Version (British and American) has, however, retained the older word, at least in the margin, in all passages in which it is found in the King James Version): According to Hebrew psychology the reins are the seat of the deepest emotions and affections of man, which God alone can fully know. Thus the Revised Version (British and American) has substituted "heart" for "reins" in the text of Job 19:27; Ps 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 73:21; Pr 23:16; Jer 11:20; 12:2; 17:10; 20:12; the translation "inward parts" is found but once (Ps 139:13). In one passage the King James Version has translated the Hebrew halac ("loins") with "reins" (Isa 11:5), where the Revised Version (British and American) has rightly substituted "waist" (which see). The Greek word nephros (which is etymologically allied to the Middle English nere, Get. Niere; see Skeat, ibid, 231, under the word "Kidney") is found in 1 Macc 2:24; Re 2:23. compare Mic 4:7); "Thy God reigneth" (Isa 52:7); "Thou hast taken thy great power and didst reign" (Re 11:17, meaning probably "thou didst assume thy might"); (2) the Messiah (Christ) as a just and righteous king (Jer 23:5); an eternal king (Lu 1:33; compare Re 11:15); punishing and subduing His enemies (Lu 19:14,27; 1Co 15:25).</p><p>(2) Eponym of a Calebite family (1Ch 2:43 (Rhekom). Probably a town in Southern Judah. A town of this name is given as belonging to Benjamin (Jos 18:27).</p><p>(3) A city of Benjamin, mentioned with Irpeel and Taralah (Jos 18:27); the site is unknown.</p><p>See also RAKEM.</p><p>Horace J. Wolf</p>