Atomic Bible

A Midianite king killed by the Israelites

Rekem

Named in 2 verses across 2 books, first in Numbers 31:8.

רֶ֫קֶםRekem

The name means “vain pictures; divers picture.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

People
Sinai

About Rekem Written by AI

Rekem was one of the five kings of Midian who were defeated and killed by the Israelites during the time of Moses (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21). The Midianites were a nomadic people who lived in the desert regions south and east of Canaan. They had engaged in hostilities against Israel and had led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). As a result, God commanded Moses to carry out a war of vengeance against the Midianites. The Israelite army, led by Phinehas, defeated the Midianites and killed their five kings, including Rekem (Numbers 31:1 to 12). The victory over the Midianites was seen as a judgment against their wickedness and a protection of Israel's spiritual and moral purity. The death of Rekem and the other Midianite kings marked the end of a significant threat to Israel's existence and integrity. The land that had belonged to these kings was later allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land (Joshua 13:21).

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Rekem, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Embroidered; variegated. (1.) One of the five Midianite kings whom the Israelites destroyed (Num. 31:8).

(2.) One of the sons of Hebron (1 Chr. 2:43, 44).

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(3.) A town of Benjamin (Josh. 18:27).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Numbers 31:8

    Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

  2. Joshua 13:21

    all the cities of the plateau and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon until Moses killed him and the chiefs of Midian (Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba), the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.