Who was Reuel in the Bible?

Reuel was a descendant of Benjamin, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:8). He is listed as the son of Ibnijah and the father of Shephatiah, placing him within the lineage of this important Israelite tribe.

Why is Reuel mentioned in the Bible?

Reuel's primary significance is his inclusion in the genealogical record, which was crucial for establishing tribal lineage, inheritance rights, and priestly eligibility in ancient Israel. His mention in 1 Chronicles 9:8 helps preserve the historical record of the tribe of Benjamin after the Babylonian exile.

What is known about Reuel's life?

The Bible does not record any specific events from Reuel's life. Our knowledge is limited to his familial relationships as a son and a father within the Benjaminite genealogy, as documented for historical and tribal purposes.

Reuel

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleSon

Reuel was a Benjamite mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin.

Reuel

Biography

This Reuel appears in the post-exilic genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin recorded in 1 Chronicles 9:8, among those who resettled in Jerusalem following the return from Babylonian exile. He is identified as a Benjamite, though his precise family connections within the tribal register are limited to this single mention. His name, meaning "friend of God" or "companion of God," is shared by several other biblical figures including Moses' father-in-law and a son of Esau, suggesting it was a well-regarded name across different periods of Israelite history. Reuel's listing among the first returnees to Jerusalem highlights his belonging to the community committed to reestablishing covenant life in the holy city after the disruption of the Babylonian captivity.

Significance

The brief mention of Reuel in 1 Chronicles 9 carries significance within the theology of restoration that shapes the book's post-exilic outlook. His return to Jerusalem places him among the remnant whose homecoming fulfilled prophetic promises of God gathering His people back to the land (Jeremiah 29:10-14). The act of resettlement was itself a theological statement: the exile had not severed Israel's covenant identity, and the families who returned embodied the hope of national and spiritual renewal. Reuel's Benjamite lineage also connects him to the tribe that, along with Judah, anchored continuity with the pre-exilic nation, preserving the community through which messianic promises would ultimately be fulfilled.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherEsauMotherBasemathChildMizzahChildNahathChildZerahChildShammah

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 9:8

References

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

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