רוּמָה (ru.mah)
ru.mah
Dumah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Rumah is a proper noun appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, serving as the name of an individual rather than a common word for height or place. In 2 Kings 23:36, he is identified as the father of Shallum, who later became King Jehoahaz of Judah. This brief mention places him within the genealogy of the Davidic line during a turbulent period when Egypt and Babylon vied for control over the southern kingdom.
The name itself likely derives from the root meaning "high" or "exalted," suggesting a connection to elevation or status. While some sources link it to other Hebrew names like Arumah, its primary function here is genealogical. It marks the lineage of a king who ruled for only three months before being taken captive by Pharaoh Necho II. The word carries no theological weight in these verses; it simply records a name in the historical record of Judah’s monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Rumah appears in Scripture as a link in the chain of David’s lineage, specifically as the grandfather of King Jehoahaz. While he is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his inclusion reminds us that God’s promises are carried forward through ordinary families and quiet generations. History records kings who rose and fell quickly, but the genealogical record preserves these names with care.
This brief mention invites reflection on the unseen contributors to God’s story. We often focus on the prophets and leaders who spoke loudly, yet the stability of a dynasty relied on fathers and grandfathers whose names may not appear in every sermon. Rumah stands as a testament to the faithful preservation of lineage, ensuring that the line of Judah remained intact for the coming Messiah.
When we read these lists, we are reminded that our own lives, though perhaps quiet or unnoticed by the world, are part of a larger divine tapestry. God values the integrity of family lines and the steady passing of heritage from one generation to the next, trusting us to be faithful in our specific place within history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Rumah1×
- Rumah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רוּמָֽה\׃1×
- וְ/רוּמָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 23:36
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
This verse identifies Rumah as the grandfather of Jehoahaz, anchoring him within the royal genealogy during a time of political instability.
-
Joshua 15:52
Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
While this reference likely denotes a place rather than the person, it shows the name's broader geographical or tribal association in the allotment of Judah.