רְאוּמָה

Reumah, a Syrian woman

Definition

Reumah is a proper noun identifying a Syrian woman who appears in Genesis 22:24. She is introduced as the concubine of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and the mother of four sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. As a concubine, her status was secondary to that of a primary wife, but her sons were still considered legitimate members of Nahor's family line. Her mention serves to detail the extended family lineage of Abraham, connecting him to the Aramean peoples of the region.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 22:24. It functions solely as a personal name for a specific individual within a genealogical record. The context is the listing of the descendants of Nahor, Abraham's brother, following the account of the binding of Isaac.

Etymology

The name Reumah (רְאוּמָה) is derived from the root רָאַם (rā'am, H7213), meaning 'to be high, exalted, or raised.' It is a feminine passive participle form, suggesting a meaning like 'the exalted one' or 'the one who is raised up.' This type of name was common, often reflecting a positive attribute or a hope for the child's status.

Semantic Range

As a concubine, Reumah occupied a recognized but subordinate social and legal position within the household of Nahor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, concubines could bear children to secure a lineage, and those children were legitimate, though their inheritance rights might be secondary to those of children born to the primary wife. Her Syrian (Aramean) origin highlights the interconnected family ties between the patriarchs and the peoples of the surrounding region, which later becomes significant in Israel's history.

Word Details

Scripture References