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H1009 · Hebrew · Old Testament
בֵּית רְחוֹב
Beth Rechob
Proper noun
house of the broad place; an Aramean city

Definition

Beth Rechob was an Aramean city whose troops joined the Ammonites against David's forces under Joab (2 Samuel 10:6). The name combines bayit (house/place) and rechob (broad open place/plaza). It represents the military coalition forces arrayed against Israel — and their ultimate defeat by Israel's army as God fought for His people.

Usage & Theological Significance

In Scripture, broad places (rechob) often symbolize safety and flourishing — the city square where children play (Zechariah 8:5) or the large space into which God delivers His servant (Psalm 18:19). Beth Rechob, a city named for openness, became a source of military threat. What God gives as blessing, human kingdoms corrupt into instruments of war. Yet Joab's victory affirmed: 'Be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him' (2 Samuel 10:12).

Key Verses

2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers.
Numbers 13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath.
Judges 18:28 There was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob.
2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.
Psalm 18:19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Related Words

External Resources

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