Introduction:
Beth-rehob is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the territorial descriptions and historical narratives of the Israelites. Its name, meaning "House of Rehob," suggests a place of significance, possibly linked to a person or a deity named Rehob. The exact location of Beth-rehob is not definitively known, but it is generally associated with the region of northern Canaan, near the borders of modern-day Lebanon.

Biblical References:
Beth-rehob is mentioned in several passages in the Bible, providing insights into its geographical and historical context.

1. Judges 18:28 · "There was no one to deliver them, because they lived far from Sidon and had no alliance with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it." This verse situates Beth-rehob in a valley, indicating its geographical setting. The context involves the tribe of Dan, who captured the city of Laish and renamed it Dan. The mention of Beth-rehob here suggests its proximity to Laish and its strategic location.

2. 2 Samuel 10:6 · "When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and twelve thousand men from Tob." This passage highlights Beth-rehob as a place from which mercenaries were hired, indicating its involvement in regional military alliances. The Arameans of Beth-rehob were part of a coalition against King David, reflecting the political dynamics of the time.

Historical and Geographical Context:
Beth-rehob is believed to have been located in the northern part of ancient Israel, possibly in the vicinity of the Beqaa Valley or near the modern town of Hasbaya in Lebanon. Its mention alongside Sidon and its involvement in military activities suggest it was a place of some importance, possibly serving as a city-state or a regional power center.

The association with the Arameans in 2 Samuel indicates that Beth-rehob was part of the broader Aramean culture and political sphere, which was prominent in the region during the time of the united monarchy in Israel. The Arameans were known for their city-states and confederations, and Beth-rehob's inclusion in this network underscores its significance.

Cultural and Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, Beth-rehob's mention in the biblical narrative serves to illustrate the complex interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors. The hiring of Aramean soldiers from Beth-rehob by the Ammonites against David highlights the persistent challenges faced by Israel from surrounding nations and the intricate web of alliances and enmities that characterized the ancient Near East.

Beth-rehob's role in these narratives underscores the theme of divine providence and protection over Israel, as seen in the eventual defeat of the coalition against David. The biblical account emphasizes God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel, despite the formidable opposition from neighboring entities like Beth-rehob.

Conclusion:
While the precise location and full historical details of Beth-rehob remain uncertain, its biblical mentions provide valuable insights into the geopolitical landscape of ancient Israel and its neighbors. The references to Beth-rehob in the context of military alliances and territorial descriptions contribute to our understanding of the historical and theological dimensions of the biblical narrative.BETH-REHOB

beth-re'-hob (beth-rechobh; ho oikos Rhaab): An Aramean town and district which, along with Zobah and Maacah, assisted Ammon against David (2 Samuel 10:6, 8, Rehob). It is probably identical with Rehob (Numbers 13:21), the northern limit of the spies' journey. Laish-Da (probably Tell el-Kadi) was situated near it (Judges 18:28). The site of the town is unknown. It has been conjecturally identified with Hunin, West of Banias, and, more plausibly, with Banias itself (Thomson, The Land and the Book (2), 218; Buhl, Geog., 240; Moore, ICC, Judges, 399).

C. H. Thomson

1050. Beth-rechob -- "place of a street," a place near Dan
... "place of a street," a place near Dan. Transliteration: Beth-rechob Phonetic Spelling:
(bayth re-khobe') Short Definition: Beth-rehob. ... Beth-rehob. ...
/hebrew/1050.htm - 6k

Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... He at once sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty
thousand foot soldiers, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob ...
/.../xliii persistency in wrong doing.htm

Bethrehob (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BETH-REHOB. beth-re'-hob ... 399). CH Thomson.
Multi-Version Concordance Bethrehob (2 Occurrences). Judges 18 ...
/b/bethrehob.htm - 8k

Beth-rehob (2 Occurrences)
Beth-rehob. Bethrehob, Beth-rehob. Beth-re'hob . Int. ... (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT
NAS). Bethrehob, Beth-rehob. Beth-re'hob . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-rehob.htm - 8k

Rehob (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) Nehemiah 10:11. (3.) The same, probably, as Beth-rehob (2 Samuel 10:6, 8; Judges
18:28), a place in the north of Palestine (Numbers 13:21). ...
/r/rehob.htm - 13k

Beth-re'hob (1 Occurrence)
Beth-re'hob. Beth-rehob, Beth-re'hob. Bethsaida . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Beth-rehob, Beth-re'hob. Bethsaida . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-re'hob.htm - 6k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... During David's Ammonite war, the enemy was strengthened by alliance with Zobah,
Maacah and Beth-rehob, and Israel was attacked from both North and South at the ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... 18:28 And they had no saviour, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business
with Aram; and it was in the valley which is the property of Beth-rehob. ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:28 There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had
no dealings with any man; and it was in the valley that lies by BethRehob. ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

20000 (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of BethRehob, and the ...
/num/20000.htm - 7k

Zidon (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they
had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob...
/z/zidon.htm - 17k

Zoba (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David,
the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of BethRehob, and the ...
/z/zoba.htm - 7k

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