Boyd's Bible Dictionary: R

(great). (1) A strong Ammonite city east of Jordan; rebuilt by Ptolemy Philadelphus, B. C. 285-247, and called Philadelphia (Josh. 13:25; 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:27-29; 1 Chron. 20:1). Rabbath-ammon, that is, Rabbath of the Ammonites, or of the children of Ammon (Deut. 3:11; 2 Sam. 12:26; 17:27; Jer. 49:2; Ezek. 21:20). (2) Town in Judah (Josh. 15:60).

Rabbath-ammon

[RABBAH

Rabbath-moab

[AR

Rabbi

(my master). A title of respect applied to Hebrew doctors and teachers. Applied also to priests, and to Christ (Matt. 23:7; Mark 9:5; John 1:38). Rabboni (John 20:16).

Rabbith

(many). Town in Issachar (Josh. 19:20).

Rabboni

(John 20:16). [RABBI.]

Rab-mag

(chief of magi). An important office at the court of Babylonia (Jer. 39:3,13).

Rabsaris

(chief of eunuchs). (1) An Assyrian general (2 Kings 18:17). (2) A Babylonian prince (Jer. 39:3,13).

Rabshakeh

(cup bearer). An Assyrian general (2 Kings 18:17-37; 19; Isa. 36).

Raca

(worthless). A Hebrew term of contempt and reproach (Matt. 5:22).

Race

(rush). As a public game, not patronized by Hebrews. A favorite game with Greeks and Romans (1 Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1).

Rachab

Greek form of Rahab

(Matt. 1:5).

Rachal

(trade). A town in southern Judah (1 Sam. 30:29).

Rachel

(ewe). Daughter of Laban, wife of Jacob, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin (Gen. 29-35).

Raddai

(trampling). Fifth son of Jesse and brother of David (1 Chron. 2:14).

Ragau

(Luke 3:35). [REU.]

Raguel

(friend of God) A priest, or prince, of Midian (Num. 10:29). Reuel (Ex. 2:18).

Rahab

(large). (1) The harlot of Jericho who received the spies, and married Salmon (Josh. 2:1-21; 6:17-25; Ruth 4:21; Matt. 1:5). (2) Symbolical term for Egypt, implying insolence and violence (like a monster of the sea) (Psa. 87:4; 89:10; Isa. 51:9).

Raham

(belly). A descendant of Caleb. Son of Shema and father of Jorkeam (1 Chron. 2:44).

Rahel

(Jer. 31:15). [RACHEL.]

Rain

The early rains of Palestine fall in October, in time for seeding; the later, in April, in time for fruits

May to October is the dry season (Deut. 11:14; Hos. 6:3; Joel 2:23).

Rainbow

A sign of the covenant that the earth should not again be destroyed by water

(Gen. 9:12-17).

Rakem

(flower culture). Descendant of Manasseh (1 Chron. 7:16).

Rakkath

(coast). A fenced city in Naphtali (Josh. 19:35).

Rakkon

(void). Town in Dan, near Joppa (Josh. 19:46).

Ram

(high). (1) A Judahite (1 Chron. 2:9). Aram (Matt. 1:3-4; Luke 3:33). (2) Son of Jerahmeel (1 Chron. 2:25). (3) Kinsman of Elihu (Job 32:2).

Ram

(strong). (1) Male of the sheep, or any ovine species (Gen. 22:13). (2) Battering-ram for breaking down gates and walls (Ezek. 4:2; 21:22).

Rama

(Matt. 2:18). [RAMAH.]

Ramah

(height). (1) City in Benjamin, near Jerusalem (Josh. 18:25; 1 Kings 15:17-22). Point of departure for Jewish captives (Jer. 39:8-12; 40:1). (2) Birthplace of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:19; 7:17). (3) A border place of Asher (Josh. 19:29). (4) Town in Naphtali (Josh. 19:36). (5) Ramoth-gilead (2 Kings 8:28-29). (6) A place re-peopled by returned captives (Neh. 11:33).

Ramathaim-zophim

(two watch-towers). Full form of the town in which Samuel was born (1 Sam. 1:1). [RAMAH, 2.]

Ramathite

Dweller in Ramah

(1 Chron. 27:27).

Ramath-lehi

(hill of the jaw bone). Where Samson slew a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass (Judg. 15:15-17).

Ramath-mizpeh

(watch-tower hill). A border town of Gad (Josh. 13:26).

Ramath of the South

A border place of Simeon

(Josh. 19:8; 1 Sam. 30:27).

Rameses, Raamses

(sun-born). Country and city in lower Egypt, associated with Goshen; the city being the capital, and one of the Pharaohs’ store-cities, located on the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile (Gen. 47:11; Ex. 1:11; 12:37; Num. 33:3,5).

Ramiah

(exaltion). One who had taken a foreign wife (Ezra 10:25).

Ramoth

(high). A son of Bani (Ezra 10:29).

Ramoth-gilead

(heights of Gilead). An ancient Amorite stronghold east of Jordan, and chief city of Gad. Both a Levitical city and city of refuge. Center of one of Solomon’s commissary districts (Deut. 4:43; Josh. 20:8; 21:38; 1 Kings 4:13).

Ram’s Horns

(Josh. 6:4-20). [CORNET.]

Rapha

(tall). (1) A Benjamite (1 Chron. 8:2). (2) A descendant of Saul (1 Chron. 8:37).

Raphu

(healed). Father of the Benjamite spy (Num. 13:9).

Raven

(seizer). An unclean bird of the crow (corvus) family. Translation much disputed (Lev. 11:15; 1 Kings 17:6; Song of Sol. 5:11).

Razor

(scraper). Known to and much used by Hebrews. Levites shaved the entire body (Lev. 14:8; Num. 6:9,18; 8:7; Judg. 13:5; Acts 18:18).

Reaia

(seen of God). A Reubenite prince (1 Chron. 5:5).

Reaiah

(seen Of God). (1) A Judahite (1 Chr. 4:2). (2) His children returned (Ezra 2:47; Neh. 7:50).

Reba

(fourth). A Midianite king slain by Israel (Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21).

Rebecca

Greek form of Rebekah

(Rom. 9:10).

Rebekah

(snare). Wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau (Gen. 22:23; 24-28; 49:31).

Rechab

(horseman). (1) Father of Jehonadab (2 Kings 10:15,23; 1 Chron. 2:55). (2) A traitorous captain under Ishbosheth (2 Sam. 4:2,5-9). (3) Father of Malchiah, an assistant wall-builder (Neh. 3:14).

Rechabites

Kenite or Midianite descendants of Rechab

(1 Chron. 2:55), who became an order or sect—said to still exist near Mecca—whose tenets were abstinence from wine, tent habitations only, freedom from agricultural labor (Jer. 35:2-19).

Rechah

(uttermost). Place unknown (1 Chron. 4:12).

Recorder

(record keeper). The high and responsible office of annalist and royal counselor in the Hebrew state (2 Sam. 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3; 1 Chron. 18:15).

Redeem

(buying back). In O. T., buying back a forfeited estate. Metaphorically, freeing from bondage (Ex. 6:6; Isa. 43:1). In N. T., rescuing or ransoming from sin and its consequences (Matt. 20:28; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18).

Red Sea

The arm of Gulf of Aden which separates Egypt from Arabia

“The sea” (Ex. 14:2,9,16,21,28; 15:1-19; Josh. 24:6-7). “Egyptian sea” (Isa. 11:15). “Sea of Suph,” weedy or reedy sea, translated “Red Sea” (Ex. 10:19; 13:18; 15:4; 23:31; Num. 21:4). In N. T., the Greek “Erythrean,” or Red Sea (Acts 7:36). At its head it separates into gulfs of Akaba and Suez, the latter of which the Israelites crossed.

Reed

(rod). Used generically for the tall grasses, sedges, flags, or rushes which grow in marshy soils. Applied to various uses by Hebrews, and source of frequent metaphor (2 Kings 18:21; Job 40:21; Isa. 19:6; Ezek. 29:6; Matt. 11:7; 12:20; 27:29).

Reelaiah

(Ezra 2:2). [RAAMIAH.]

Refiner

(who makes fine). A worker in precious metals (Isa. 1:25; Isa. 40:10; Jer. 6:29; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:3).

Refuge, Cities of

The six Levitical cities set apart for the temporary escape of involuntary manslayers: Kadesh in Naphtali, Shechem in Mt

Ephraim, Hebron in Judah, Golan in Bashan, Rumoth in Gilead, Bezer in Reuben (Num. 35:6,11-32; Deut. 19:7-9; Josh. 20:2-8). [CITY.]

Regem

(friend). A descendant of Caleb (1 Chron. 2:47) Son of Jahda.

Regem-melech

(royal friend). A messenger sent by captive Jews to inquire about the ritual (Zech. 7:2).

Regeneration

(begetting again). In Matt. 19:28 it speaks of the time when Christ will sit on the throne of His glory. In Titus 3:5 it refers to the new order of things in connection with the presence of the Spirit, into which believers are brought. It does not mean “new birth.”

Rehabiah

(enlarged). Only son of Eliezer, the son of Moses (1 Chron. 23:17; 24:21; 26:24).

Rehob

(breadth). (1) Father of Hadadezer, king of Zobah (2 Sam. 8:3,12). (2) A co-covenanter (Neh. 10:11). (3) Spot where the journey of the spies ended (Num. 13:21; 2 Sam. 10:8). Beth-rehob (2 Sam. 10:6). (4) Place in Asher (Josh. 19:28). (5) A Levitical town in Asher (Josh. 19:30).

Rehoboam

(emancipator). Son of Solomon (1 Kings 11:43; 14:21), and successor to his father’s throne, B. C. 975-958. During his reign the ten tribes, under Jeroboam, revolted and set lip the kingdom of Israel. Shishak, of Egypt, captured Jerusalem from him (1 Kings 14:21-31).

Rehoboth

(places). (1) A city of Assyria founded by Asher or Nimrod (Gen. 10:11-12). (2) A city on the Euphrates, home of Shaul or Saul, an early Edomite king (Gen. 36:37; 1 Chron. 1:48). (3) The third well dug by Isaac. It is located south of Beersheba (Gen. 26:22).

Rehum

(merciful). Levites and returned captives (Ezra 2:2; 4:8-9,17,23; Neh. 3:17; 10:25; 12:3). Nehum (Neh. 7:7), and Harim (Neh. 12:15).

Rei

(friendly). A friend of David (1 Kings 1:8).

Reins

(kidneys). Once believed to be the seat of emotions; hence coupled with the heart (Psa. 7:9; 16:7; Jer. 17:10; 20:12).

Rekem

(flowered). (1) A Midianite king slain by the Israelites (Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21). (2) Son of Hebron and father of Shammai of the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 2:43-44). (3) Town in Benjamin (Josh. 18:27).

Remaliah

(God-exulted). Father of Pekah, king of Israel (2 Kings 15:25-37; 2 Chron. 28:6; Isa 7:1-9).

Remeth

(height). Town in Issachar (Josh. 19:21).

Remmon

(pomegranate). Town in Simeon. Properly Rimmon (Josh. 19:7).

Remmon-methoar

(Remmon to Neah). A landmark of Zebulun (Josh. 19:13).

Remphan

An idol worshipped secretly by the Israelites in the wilderness

(Acts 7:43). Rephan in R. V. Chiun (Amos 5:26).

Rephael

(God-healed). A Levite porter of the house of Obed-edom (1 Chron. 26:7).

Rephah

(wealth). An Ephraimite (1 Chron. 7:25).

Rephaiah

(God-healed). (1) Descendant of David (1 Chron. 3:21). (2) A Simeonite chief (1 Chron. 4:42). (3) Descendant of Issachar (1 Chron. 7:2). (4) Descendant of Saul (1 Chron. 9:43). Rapha (1 Chron. 8:37). (5) A wall-repairer and ruler of half of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:9).

Rephaim

(giants). (1) A giant race east of Jordan, and probably driven to the west side (Gen. 14:5; 15:20). (2) “Valley of Rephaim” was a landmark of Judah, and supposedly the valley stretching from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (Josh. 15:8; 2 Sam. 5:18; Isa. 17:5).

Rephidim

(rests). Last Israelite encampment before Sinai (Ex. 17:1,8-16; 19:2).

Resen

(bridle). An Assyrian city built by Asher or Nimrod (Gen. 10:12).

Resheph

(fire). A descendant of Ephraim. A son of Beriah (1 Chron. 7:25).

Resurrection

(rising again). The rising again from the dead (Psa. 16:10-11; Matt. 16:21; 20:19; Acts 2:31).

Reu

(friend). Son of Peleg and father of Serug, in the ancestry of Abraham (Gen. 11:18-21; 1 Chron. 1:25; Luke 3:35 ‘Ragau’).

Reuben

(behold a son!). Eldest son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 29:32). Lost his birthright through crime (Gen. 35:22; 49:3-4). Tribe numerous and pastoral, and settled east of Jordan (Num. 1:20-21; Josh. 13:15-23). Idolatrous, averse to war, carried captive by Assyria (Judg. 5:15-16; 1 Chron. 5:26).

Reubenites

Descendants of Reuben

(Num. 26:7; Josh. 1:12; 1 Chron. 5:26).

Reuel

(God’s friend). (1) A son of Esau (Gen. 36:4,10,13,17). (2) (Ex. 2:18). [RAGUEL.] (3) Father of Eliasaph the Gadite leader (Num. 2:14). (4) A Benjamite (1 Chron. 9:8).

Reumah

(lofty). Nahor’s concubine (Gen. 22:24).

Revelation

(veil drawn back). (1) Scripturally, revealing truth through divine agency or by supernatural means (2 Cor. 12:1-7). (2) Book of Revelation or Apocalypse was written by the Apostle John, about A. D. 95-97. It is a record of his inspired visions while a prisoner on the island of Patmos. It reveals God’s plans, how His Son will bring all things in heaven and on earth back into proper order from its current sinful, disordered state.

Rezeph

(heated stone). An unknown place (2 Kings 19:12; Isa. 37:12).

Rezia

(delight). An Asherite (1 Chron. 7:39).

Rezin

(firm). (1) A king of Syria or Damascus (2 Kings 15:37; 16:5-9; Isa. 7:1-8; 8:6; 9:11). (2) His descendants returned (Ezra 2:48; Neh. 7:50).

Rezon

(prince). A Syrian, son of Eliada, who set up a petty kingdom at Damascus (1 Kings 11:23-25).

Rhegium

(breach). Now Rheggio, port and capital of Calabria, southern Italy (Acts 28:13).

Rhesa

(head). One mentioned in Christ’s genealogy, son of Zerubbabel and father of Joanan (Luke 3:27).

Rhoda

(rose). A maid in the house of Mary, mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12-15).

Rhodes

(roses). An Aegean island, just off the coast of Asia Minor. Noted for the splendor of its capital city, Rhodes. Paul touched there (Acts 21:1).

Ribai

(pleader). Father of Ittai, one of David’s guard (2 Sam. 23:29; 1 Chron. 11:31).

Riblah

(fertile). An ancient strategic city on N. E. frontier of Canaan, and on military route from Palestine to Babylonia (Num. 34:11; 2 Kings 23:33; 25:6-21; Jer. 39:5-7).

Riddle

(counsel). Oriental peoples fond of riddles. Hebrew riddles embraced proverbs (Prov. 1:6); oracles (Num. 12:8); songs (Psa. 49:4); parables (Ezek. 17:2); intricate sentences, questions, and problems (Judg. 14:12-14; 1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chron. 9:1; Dan. 8:23).

Rimmon

(pomegranate). (1) Father of Ishbosheth’s murderers (2 Sam. 4:2-9). (2) A Syrian deity worshipped at Damascus (2 Kings 5:18). (3) Levitical city in Zebulun (1 Chron. 6:77). Remmon-methoar (Josh. 19:13). (4) Town in Judah and Simeon (Josh. 15:32). (5) A rock or fastness, now Rummon, 10 miles north of Jerusalem, to which the defeated Benjamites retreated (Judg. 20:45,47; 21:13).

Rimmon-parez

(pomegranates of the wrath). A desert encampment (Num. 33:19).

Ring

(around). Rings were indispensable articles of Jewish ornament. Worn on fingers, wrists, ankles, in ears and nostrils (Isa. 3:20-21; Luke 15:22; James 2:2). Symbols of authority (Gen. 41:42; Esther 3:10). Used as seals (Esther 3:12; Dan. 6:17).

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Rinnah

(song). A Judahite, a son of Simeon (1 Chron. 4:20).

Riphath

(spoken). Son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth, and founder of a northern nation (Gen. 10:3; 1 Chron. 1:6).

Rissah

(ruin). A desert encampment of the Israelites (Num. 33:21-22).

Rithmah

(bush). A desert encampment of the Israelites (Num. 33:18-19).

River

(banked). In Hebrew sense, a large flowing stream, rivulet, ravine, valley, or wady. “River of Egypt” is the Nile (Gen. 15:18; Num. 34:5; Josh. 15:4,47; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 24:7). “The river” is the Euphrates (Gen. 31:21; Ex. 23:31).

Rizpah

Concubine of Saul, and the mother who watched over the remains of her slain sons

(Sam. 3:7; 21:8-11).

Road

(ride). In Bible sense, a path or way. For “road” in 1 Samuel 27:10, read “raid” or “inroad.”

Robbery

(breaking, riving). Oppression, pillage, and thievery formed almost an employment among nomad tribes (Gen. 16:12; Judg. 2:14; Luke 10:30; John 18:40).

Roboam

Greek form of Rehoboam

(Matt. 1:7).

Rod

Shoot or branch

Figuratively, Christ (Isa. 11:1); root (Psa. 74:2; Jer. 10:16); support (Psa. 23:4); authority (Psa. 2:9); affliction (Job 9:34); tithing-rod (Ezek. 20:37).

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Roe, Roebuck

(animal). A beautiful fleet animal, probably the roe-deer of Western Asia; but associated with antelope and gazelle (2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Chron. 12:8; Song of Sol. 2:17; 8:14).

Rogelim

(fullers). Home of Barzillai, in Gilead (2 Sam. 17:27; 19:31).

Rohgah

(clamor). The second son of Shemer, a chief of Asher (1 Chron. 7:34).

Roll

(little wheel). The book of ancient times, consisting of long strips of linen, papyrus, or parchment written upon and wrapped on a stick (Isa. 8:1; Ezek. 2:9-10).

Romamti-ezer

One of Heman’s fourteen sons

(1 Chron. 25:4,31).

Rome, Romans

Rome was pushing her conquests in Palestine and Syria

The capital, Rome, is on the Tiber, about 15 miles from the sea. Founded B. C. 752. Governed by kings till B. C. 509; then by consuls till Augustus Caesar became emperor, B. C. 30. At the Christian era Rome was virtual mistress of the civilized world. Empire declined rapidly after removal of capital to Constantinople by Constantine, A. D. 328. Gospel early introduced among Romans, but Christians persecuted till time of Constantine. Palestine was ruled from Rome by kings, procurators, governors, or proconsuls. Paul wrote his celebrated epistle to the Romans from Corinth, about A. D. 58, to show that Jew and Gentile were alike subject to sin and in equal need of justification and sanctification.

Roof

[HOUSE

Room

(wide). Frequently used in N. T. for spot, seat, place, as at table (Matt. 23:6; Mark 12:39; Luke 14:7; 20:46).

Rose

(ruddy). Disputed translation. Some say narcissus is meant; others would simply read “flower” for “rose” (Song of Sol. 2:1; Isa. 35:1).

Rosh

(head). A Benjamite (Gen. 46:21).

Rosin

(resin). The resin left after turpentine is distilled. But in Bible naphtha is meant (Ezek. 27:17 marg.).

Ruby

(red). A ruddy, valuable gem; but the original word is thought to mean coral or pearl (Job 28:18; Prov. 3:15).

Rue

(thick-leaved). A shrubby, medicinal plant, cultivated in the gardens of the east. Tithable (Luke 11:42).

Rufus

(red). Son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21). Probably the same in Romans16:13.

Ruhamah

(having received mercy). A symbolical name used in Hosea 2:1.

Rumah

(high). A place (2 Kings 23:36), associated with Arumah and Dumah.

Rush

(reed). [REED.]

Ruth

(beauty). The Moabite wife of Mahlon and Boaz. The beautiful pastoral of Ruth, 8th of O. T. books, contains her life. It supplements Judges and prefaces Samuel, and traces the lineage of David. Time of writing and authorship are unknown.

Rye

Not an Egyptian cereal

“Spelt” is doubtless meant, it being a common Egyptian food (Ex. 9:32; Isa. 28:25). Same Hebrew word is rendered “Pitches” (Ezek. 4:9).

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