Ῥοβοάμ

Rehoboam

Definition

Ῥοβοάμ (Rehoboam) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name רְחַבְעָם (Rehav'am), meaning 'he enlarges the people.' In the New Testament, it refers exclusively to Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon and the king who succeeded him. His reign, detailed in the Old Testament (1 Kings 11:43-12:24, 2 Chronicles 9:31-12:16), is marked by the pivotal division of the united kingdom of Israel into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) due to his harsh policies. The single New Testament mention in Matthew 1:7 places him within the genealogy of Jesus Christ, establishing his role in the Davidic royal line.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:7, within the genealogy that opens the Gospel. Its usage is strictly as a proper name, identifying a specific historical figure in the lineage from Abraham to Jesus. There are no contextual variations or patterns, as it serves solely to list an ancestor in the messianic line.

Etymology

The word is a direct Greek transliteration (Ῥοβοάμ) of the Hebrew name רְחַבְעָם (Rehav'am). The Hebrew name is a compound, likely from the roots רחב (raḥav, 'to be wide' or 'to enlarge') and עם (am, 'people'), giving the sense of 'the people have been enlarged' or 'he enlarges the people.' The Greek form preserves the sound and identity of the original name without translating its meaning.

Semantic Range

Rehoboam's inclusion in Matthew's genealogy (Matthew 1:7) is theologically significant as it connects Jesus to the Davidic monarchy, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about an eternal king from David's line (2 Samuel 7:12-16). His reign also represents a story of failed leadership and division, contrasting with Jesus' role as the unifying king who establishes a spiritual kingdom. Understanding this name in the genealogy highlights God's faithfulness in preserving the messianic line through both faithful and flawed individuals.

In the original biblical context, Rehoboam was a well-known figure from Israel's history, symbolizing a disastrous political schism. For first-century Jewish readers of Matthew's Gospel, his name would immediately evoke the story of the kingdom's division, a foundational event in their national history. His mention reinforces Jesus' legitimate claim to the throne of David, despite the kingdom's historical fragmentation.

There are no direct synonyms, as this is a unique proper name. Related figures in the Davidic line include: Δαυίδ (Dauid, G1138) — his grandfather, the king. Σολομών (Solomōn, G4672) — his father, the king.

Word Details

Scripture References