רְחַבְעָם (re.chav.am)

re.chav.am

Rehoboam

H7346 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 41 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 41 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Rechabam, rendered in English as Rehoboam, is a proper noun meaning "a people has enlarged." It combines the Hebrew words for broad or wide (rachab) and nation or people (am). This etymology likely alludes to the promise that God would expand Israel’s borders, a theme found in passages like Exodus 34:24.

Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and Naamah, and he became the first king of Judah after the United Monarchy split into two rival kingdoms. His reign is recorded extensively in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where his decisions regarding taxation and labor policies directly triggered the division of the nation. The name serves as a poignant historical marker, contrasting the expansive promise of its meaning with the fractured reality of his rule.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Rehoboam carries a heavy irony. It means "the people have enlarged," yet his reign ended with the nation split in two. This contrast reminds us that human ambition often falls short of divine promise. When we seek to lead or serve, our own strength is rarely enough to hold things together.

His story shows the cost of ignoring wise counsel and choosing pride over humility. In 1 Kings 12, he rejected the advice of his father’s elders, leading to rebellion. We learn that true growth comes not from expanding our own power, but from listening to those who have walked the path before us.

May we find wisdom in these ancient records. Let us seek guidance rather than control, trusting that God’s plans for unity and peace are greater than our own desires.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 41 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Rehoboam46×
to/ Rehoboam2×
and/ Rehoboam2×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

רְחַבְעָ֖ם9×
רְחַבְעָ֗ם7×
רְחַבְעָם֙5×
רְחַבְעָ֥ם5×
רְחַבְעָ֛ם5×
רְחַבְעָ֔ם3×
רְחַבְעָם֮2×
רְחַבְעָ֨ם2×
רְחַבְעָ֜ם2×
רְחַבְעָ֑ם2×
רְחַבְעָֽם\׃\ \פ1×
רְחַבְעָֽם\׃1×

Key Verses

I Kings 12:6
King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me to answer these people?”

This verse highlights Rehoboam's initial hesitation to seek wise counsel from his father's elders, showing the critical moment where he could have chosen humility.
I Kings 12:21
When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

Rehoboam gathers an army to fight his own people, illustrating how pride can turn a leader into an enemy of those he should serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Rehoboam mean?

The name Rehoboam (Hebrew: רְחַבְעָם) translates to "the people have enlarged" or "he broadens the people." It combines words for wide/broad and nation. This etymology likely reflects God's promise to expand Israel's borders, a theme seen in passages like Exodus 34:24.

Why is Rehoboam significant in the Bible?

Rehoboam is significant because his poor leadership decisions directly caused the United Monarchy of Israel to split into two kingdoms: Judah (south) and Israel (north). His story serves as a warning about the dangers of pride and ignoring wise counsel, as seen in 1 Kings 12.

How does Rehoboam's reign end?

After seventeen years of rule, Rehoboam died and was buried in David’s city (1 Kings 14:31). His reign was marked by continuous war with Jeroboam and internal strife. He was succeeded by his son Abijam, continuing the line of kings in Judah.

Every Occurrence (41 verses across 3 books)

I Kings 17 verses

I Kings 11:43

Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

I Kings 12:1

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

I Kings 12:3

and they sent and called him), Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

I Kings 12:6

King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What…

I Kings 12:12

So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king asked, saying, “Come to me again the third…

I Kings 12:17

But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

I Kings 12:18

Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the men subject to forced labor; and all Israel stoned him to death with…

I Kings 12:21

When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and…

I Kings 12:23

“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of…

I Kings 12:27

If this people goes up to offer sacrifices in Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn…

I Kings 14:21

Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned…

I Kings 14:25

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem;

I Kings 14:27

King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who…

I Kings 14:29

Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the…

I Kings 14:30

There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

I Kings 14:31

Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city. His mother’s name was Naamah the…

I Kings 15:6

Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.

I Chronicles 1 verse

II Chronicles 23 verses