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Reba

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleKing

Reba was one of the five Midianite kings killed by the Israelites during the time of Moses.

Reba illustration
Reba

Biography

Reba was one of five Midianite kings who ruled as vassals allied with Sihon, the Amorite king, in the region east of the Jordan River. Along with Evi, Rekem, Zur, and Hur, Reba was killed by the Israelites in a military campaign commanded by God through Moses as retribution for Midian's role in seducing Israel into idolatry and immorality at Baal-peor (Numbers 31:1-8). The campaign was led by Phinehas the priest, and all five kings fell alongside the prophet Balaam, who had counseled the Midianites in their strategy against Israel. Reba's territory was later allocated to the tribe of Reuben as part of their Transjordan inheritance (Joshua 13:21). His defeat marked a decisive moment in Israel's final preparations before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land.

Significance

Reba's death, alongside the other Midianite kings, represents God's judgment against those who sought to corrupt Israel through spiritual seduction rather than military conquest. The Midianite strategy at Baal-peor, orchestrated with Balaam's counsel, had caused a devastating plague that killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9). The defeat of Reba and his fellow kings demonstrated that God would protect His people by destroying those who led them into sin. This episode also served as a warning to Israel about the dangers of compromise with surrounding cultures. The allocation of Reba's former territory to the Reubenites fulfilled God's promise of inheritance and showed His faithfulness in giving the land to His people.

Authority Records

Verse Appearances (2)

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources