Search / H7348b
רְחוּם H7348b
N-proper-ms  |  4× in 1 sense
Rehum (Persian official name)
This name designates a Persian official who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in Ezra 4. Unlike the Israelite name Rehum (from 'compassion'), this may derive from Old Iranian rukma meaning 'splendor,' reflecting Persian rather than Hebrew etymology. The official's role as royal correspondent highlights Persian administrative oversight in post-exilic Judah.
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Senses
1. sense 1 — Identifies a Persian official (רְחוּם בְּעֵל-טְעֵם, 'Rehum the commander/chancellor') who, with Shimshai the scribe, wrote to Artaxerxes opposing Jerusalem's rebuilding in Ezra 4:8-9, 17, 23. While traditionally explained from Hebrew רָחַם ('compassion'), the name may actually reflect Old Iranian rukma ('splendor'), fitting a Persian bureaucrat. The four occurrences trace the official correspondence: the letter sent (v. 8-9), the king's reply (v. 17), and the enforcement of the decree (v. 23). Multilingual glosses consistently transliterate 'Rehum/Rechum,' recognizing it as a proper name. The context emphasizes Persian imperial power over Jewish restoration efforts. 4×
DISCOURSE_NAMES › Names of Persons and Places › Personal Names
AR["رَحُومَ", "رَحُومُ"]·ben["রহূম", "রহূমের"]·DE["Rechum"]·EN["Rechum"]·FR["Rehum"]·heb["רחום"]·HI["रहूम"]·ID["Rehum"]·IT["Rehum"]·jav["Rehum", "kang-komandan", "lan-kancanipun"]·KO["르후"]·PT["Rechum"]·RU["Рехум", "Рехумом", "Рехуму"]·ES["Rehum"]·SW["Rehumu"]·TR["Rehum", "Rehuma", "Rehumun"]·urd["رحوم"]
Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 4:23
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
רְחוּם n.pr.m. Persian official Ezr 4:8 (usually expl. from √ רחם, v. BH, p. 933; Scheft92 thinks poss. orig. רוחם, OIran. n.pr. rukma, = splendour).