Reaiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogical records of the tribes of Israel. The name "Reaiah" means "Yahweh has seen" or "vision of the Lord," reflecting a common practice in Hebrew culture of attributing significant meanings to names.

Genealogical Context

Reaiah is identified in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah. In 1 Chronicles 4:2, Reaiah is listed as a descendant of Shobal, who is a son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, and the father of Bethlehem. The passage states: "Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites." (1 Chronicles 4:2). This places Reaiah within the lineage that is associated with the region of Zorah, a town in the territory of Judah.

Role and Significance

Reaiah's mention in the genealogical records highlights the importance of family lineage and tribal affiliation in ancient Israelite society. The genealogies served not only as historical records but also as a means of establishing identity and inheritance rights within the tribes of Israel. Reaiah's inclusion in these records underscores the continuity of the Judahite line and its significance in the broader narrative of Israel's history.

Reaiah the Gatekeeper

Another individual named Reaiah is mentioned in the context of the return from the Babylonian exile. In Ezra 2:47 and Nehemiah 7:50, Reaiah is listed among the descendants of the temple servants who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. The passages read: "The descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda," (Ezra 2:47) and "The descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda," (Nehemiah 7:50). This Reaiah is part of a group responsible for assisting in the service of the temple, highlighting the restoration of worship and religious practices in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Theological Implications

The mention of Reaiah in the genealogies and the post-exilic records reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His people. Despite the challenges and disruptions faced by the Israelites, such as the Babylonian exile, the continuity of family lines and the restoration of temple service demonstrate God's ongoing provision and care for His covenant people. Reaiah's presence in these records serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the tribes of Israel and their role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, Reaiah is a figure whose mention in the Bible, though brief, contributes to the rich tapestry of Israel's history and underscores the importance of lineage, identity, and faithfulness in the biblical narrative.Reaiah

vision of the Lord

Reaiah

(seen of Jehovah).

1. A descendant of Shubal the son of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:2)
2. The children of Reaiah were a family of Nethinim who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:47; Nehemiah 7:50) (B.C. before 536.)

REAIAH

re-a'-ya, re-i'-a (re'ayah, "Yah has seen"; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus, Rhada, A, Rheia):

(1) The eponym of a Calebite family (1 Chronicles 4:2). The word "Reaiah" should probably be substituted for "Haroeh" in 1 Chronicles 2:52, but both forms may be corruptions.

(2) A Reubenite (1 Chronicles 5:5, the King James Version "Reaia").

See JOEL.

(3) The family name of a company of Nethinim (Ezra 2:47 Nehemiah 7:50 = 1Es 5:31).

7211. Reayah -- "Yah has seen," three Israelites
... Reayah. 7212 . "Yah has seen," three Israelites. Transliteration: Reayah Phonetic
Spelling: (reh-aw-yaw') Short Definition: Reaiah. ... NASB Word Usage Reaiah (4). ...
/hebrew/7211.htm - 6kReaiah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia REAIAH. re-a'-ya, re-i'-a ... 1Es 5:31).
Multi-Version Concordance Reaiah (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 4 ...
/r/reaiah.htm - 8k

Re-ai'ah (4 Occurrences)
Re-ai'ah. Reaiah, Re-ai'ah. Real . ... 1 Chronicles 4:2 Reaiah the son of Shobal
became the father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. ...
/r/re-ai'ah.htm - 7k

Jahath (7 Occurrences)
... ja'-hath (yachath, perhaps for yachteh, yachatheh, "he (God) will snatch up"):
(1) Son of Reaiah, son of Shobal, a descendant of Judah, and father of Ahumai ...
/j/jahath.htm - 10k

Reaia (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reaia (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 5:5 Micah his son,
Reaiah his son, Baal his son, (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/r/reaia.htm - 6k

Zo'rathites (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 4:2 Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of
Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. ...
/z/zo'rathites.htm - 7k

Zoreathites (2 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Chronicles 4:2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath; and Jahath begot
Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zoreathites. (DBY). ...
/z/zoreathites.htm - 7k

Zorathite (1 Occurrence)
... Zorathite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 4:2 Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father
of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. ...
/z/zorathite.htm - 6k

Zorathites (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 4:2 Reaiah the son of Shobal became the
father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. ...
/z/zorathites.htm - 7k

Nekoda (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 7:50 the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of
Nekoda, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah ...
/n/nekoda.htm - 8k

Neko'da (4 Occurrences)
... and two. (See RSV). Nehemiah 7:50 the children of Reaiah, the children
of Rezin, the children of Nekoda; (See RSV). Nehemiah 7:62 ...
/n/neko'da.htm - 7k

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