Rehob
Rehob [1]
rē´hob ( רחב , reḥōbh ; Ῥοώβ , Rhoṓb , Ῥαάβ , Rhaáb ):
(1) Etymologically the word means "broad" and might be applied either to a road or a plain. Rehob is given ( Numbers 13:21 ) as the northern limit of Israel as reached by the spies. This agrees with the position assigned to Beth-rehob in the narrative of the settlement of the Danites ( Judges 18:28 ). It is mentioned again along with the kingdom of Zobah in connection with the wars of Saul ( 1 Samuel 14:47 Septuagint Lag.), and as having been associated with, Zobah and Maacah against David in the Ammonite war and as having been defeated by him ( 2 Samuel 10:6 ). Robinson sought to identify it with Hunin, but it hardly suits the references. Buhl ( GAP , 240) following Thomson ( LB , II, 547) seeks it at Paneas (modern Bāniās ). This would suit all the requirements of the capital, Beth-rehob, which might then be the second Rehob, assigned as part of the territory of Sidon to the tribe Asher ( Joshua 19:28 , Joshua 19:30; Judges 18:28 ). We must, however, assign to the kingdom of Rehob a territory extending from the settlements of the Danites to the "entering in of Hamath" or to Libo (modern Leboue), i.e. the Great Plain of Coele-Syria bounded by Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon and within the limits indicated.
(2) Two separate towns belonging to Asher ( Joshua 19:28; Joshua 19:30 ). One of them was given to the Gershonite Levites ( Joshua 21:31 ), and one is mentioned as remaining in the hands of the Canaanites ( Judges 1:31 ).
(3) Father of Hadadezer, king of Aram Zobah, who was overwhelmed by David at the Euphrates ( 2 Samuel 8:3 , 2 Samuel 8:12 ).
(4) One of the Levites who sealed Nehemiah's covenant on the 24th Tishri, 444 Bc ( Nehemiah 10:11 ).
