Rekem in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

re'-kem (rekem, "friendship"): (1) One of the five kings of Midian slain by the Israelites under Moses (Nu 31:8; Josh 13:21 (Codex Vaticanus Rhobok; Codex Alexandrinus Rhokom)). Like his companions, he is called a "king" in Numbers, but a "prince" or "chieftain" in the passage in Josh. The two references are hardly related; both are based on an earlier tradition.glish Language, 398). the Revised Version (British and American) has, however, retained the older word, at least in the margin, in all passages in which it is found in the King James Version): According to Hebrew psychology the reins are the seat of the deepest emotions and affections of man, which God alone can fully know. Thus the Revised Version (British and American) has substituted "heart" for "reins" in the text of Job 19:27; Ps 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 73:21; Prov 23:16; Jer 11:20; 12:2; 17:10; 20:12; the translation "inward parts" is found but once (Ps 139:13). In one passage the King James Version has translated the Hebrew halac ("loins") with "reins" (Isa 11:5), where the Revised Version (British and American) has rightly substituted "waist" (which see). The Greek word nephros (which is etymologically allied to the Middle English nere, Get. Niere; see Skeat, ibid, 231, under the word "Kidney") is found in 1 Macc 2:24; Rev 2:23. compare Mic 4:7); "Thy God reigneth" (Isa 52:7); "Thou hast taken thy great power and didst reign" (Rev 11:17, meaning probably "thou didst assume thy might"); (2) the Messiah (Christ) as a just and righteous king (Jer 23:5); an eternal king (Lk 1:33; compare Rev 11:15); punishing and subduing His enemies (Lk 19:14,27; 1 Cor 15:25). (2) Eponym of a Calebite family (1 Ch 2:43 (Rhekom). Probably a town in Southern Judah. A town of this name is given as belonging to Benjamin (Josh 18:27). (3) A city of Benjamin, mentioned with Irpeel and Taralah (Josh 18:27); the site is unknown. See also RAKEM. Horace J. Wolf