רְעוּ
Reu, a postdiluvian patriarch
Definition
Reu is the name of a postdiluvian patriarch, the son of Peleg and father of Serug, who appears in the genealogical line from Shem to Abraham (Genesis 11:18-21). As a link in this genealogy, his life of 239 years (Genesis 11:20-21) bridges the generations between the Tower of Babel narrative and the call of Abram. His name, meaning 'friend' or 'companion,' may symbolically reflect the relational continuity of God's covenant people during this era of human dispersion. He is also listed in the Chronicler's genealogy of the tribes of Israel (1 Chronicles 1:25), confirming his place in the ancestral history.
Biblical Usage
The name Reu is used exclusively in biblical genealogies. All five occurrences are in lists tracing the lineage from Shem to Abraham: four times in Genesis 11:18-21, detailing his birth, his son Serug, and his lifespan, and once in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:25. There is no narrative about his life; his significance is entirely positional within the genealogical structure that connects Noah's family to the patriarchs of Israel.
Etymology
The name Reu (רְעוּ) is derived from the root רְעִי (Rᵉʻîy, H7471), which relates to 'friendship' or 'companionship,' itself coming from the common noun רֵעַ (rēaʿ, H7453) meaning 'friend,' 'neighbor,' or 'companion.' Thus, the name carries the sense of 'friend' or 'associate.' This etymological connection highlights a relational aspect, possibly hinting at the social or covenantal bonds within the patriarchal line.
Semantic Range
Reu is a crucial, though quiet, link in the genealogy that demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving a chosen line from Shem through Abraham, through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). His inclusion underscores the importance of lineage and covenant continuity in the Old Testament. Understanding his name ('friend') within this lineage can enrich the reading of Genesis 11 by subtly emphasizing the relational thread of God's people amidst a narrative of human rebellion and division at Babel.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, genealogies were not mere lists but were theological documents establishing identity, heritage, and legitimacy. A name meaning 'friend' or 'companion' in such a list may have conveyed ideals of alliance and community within the clan. The exceptionally long lifespans recorded for Reu and his ancestors (hundreds of years) are a stylistic feature of the pre-Abrahamic genealogies, serving to connect the primeval history with the patriarchal era.
רֵעַ (rēaʿ, H7453) — The common noun for 'friend' or 'neighbor,' which is the root concept behind the name Reu. אָהַב (ʼāhaḇ, H157) — A verb meaning 'to love,' describing a deep, committed affection that underlies true friendship.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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