Recah
Recah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Bethlehem. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Recah appears in a single verse of Scripture, 1 Chronicles 4:12, within the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. The verse identifies Eshton as the father of Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash, and states that "these are the men of Recah." The genealogical context places Recah among the towns and clans associated with Judah's settlement in the southern hill country. The Chronicler's genealogies serve a theological purpose beyond mere record-keeping: they trace the continuity of God's covenant people from Adam through the post-exilic community, affirming that divine faithfulness persisted through every generation. Recah's association with Bethlehem in its modern identification is intriguing, though uncertain, as Bethlehem would later become the birthplace of David and, supremely, of Jesus Christ. Even if the identification is incorrect, Recah's mention in Judah's genealogy places it within the lineage that ultimately produced the Messiah, connecting even the most obscure place names to God's redemptive purposes.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The identification of Recah with Bethlehem is highly uncertain and largely conjectural. The Chronicler provides no geographical information beyond associating Recah with Judahite families, and some scholars have suggested alternative locations or interpreted the name as a clan designation rather than a geographical site. If the Bethlehem identification is accepted, the archaeological evidence is extensive: Bethlehem has been continuously inhabited for millennia, with remains from the Bronze Age through modern times. Excavations in the area have uncovered Iron Age tombs, water systems, and domestic structures. The Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional site of Jesus' birth, contains archaeological layers dating to the Byzantine and Crusader periods. However, the connection between the Recah of 1 Chronicles 4:12 and Bethlehem remains speculative and not supported by definitive archaeological or textual evidence.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →