Raamah – Righteousness

Raamah

1Ch 1:9, a region settled by Cushites, descendants of a grandson of Ham of the same name, Ge 10:7. It is supposed to have adjoined the Persian gulf on its western shore towards the north, Eze 27:12.

Raamses

Or Rameses, a city built by the Hebrews during their servitude in Egypt, Ex 1:11. It was situated in the land of Goshen; and appears to have been the capital of that country, Ge 47:10. From it they commenced their united exodus from Egypt, Ex 12:37; Nu 33:3,5. It is thought to have been on the line of the ancient canal from the Nile to the Red sea, and some thirty-five miles northwest of Suez.

Rab-Mag

A general officer of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, at the taking of Jerusalem, Jer 39:3. He was, as his name signifies, a chief of the magi; a dignitary who had accompanied the king of Babylon in his campaign. See MAGI.

Rab-Saris

An officer sent with Rabshakeh and Tartan, to summon Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:17; Jer 39:3. It signifies "the chief of the eunuchs." Such officers, high in honor and in trust, are found on the mural tablets of Nineveh so wonderfully preserved to this day; and in the Ottoman Porte of our own times the Kislar Aga, or chief of the black eunuchs, is one of the highest dignitaries. See SHALMANEZER.

Rab-Shakeh

Chief butler or cup-bearer, an officer sent from Lachish by Sennacherib king of Assyria, to summon Hezekiah to surrender; which message he delivered in a most audacious and insolent manner. The history is told in 2Ki 19:17; 2Ch 32:9; Isa 36:22. See NINEVEH and SENNACHERIB.

Rabbabbi

The word RAB in Hebrew signifies chief; thus Nebuzaradan is the chief or captain of the guard, 2Ki 25:8, in Hebrew rabtabbachim; so Ashpenaz is the rab, chief or master of the eunuchs, and Daniel of the mag, Da 1:3; 5:11. See RAB-MAG. At a later period, it was introduced as a solemn title of honor in the Jewish schools, meaning master, teacher, and doctor. There were various distinctions and degrees; the term rab was accounted the least honorable; that of rabbi, signifying my master, being of higher dignity.

Another form of the word was rabban or rabbon, from which comes also rabboni, Joh 20:16; this was regarded as the highest title of honor, and was never formally bestowed on more than seven persons, who all belonged to the celebrated school of Hillel, and were preeminently distinguished by their rank and learning. See GAMALIEL. The more common and usual appellation afterwards was rabbi; and this has descended among the Jews to the present day, Mt 23:7,8. It was a title often given to the Saviour both by his disciples and the people, Mr 9:5; 10:51; 11:21; Joh 1:38,49; 4:31.

Rabbath

Or RABBATH-AMMON, afterwards called Philadelphia, the capital of the Ammonites, was situated near the southern source of the jabbok, some twenty-two miles beyond Jordan. It was famous even in the time Moses, De 3:11; Jos 13:25. When David declared war against the Ammonites, his general, Joab, laid siege to Rabbath-Ammon, where Uriah lost his life by a secret order of his prince; and when the city was reduced to the last extremity, Joab sent for David to hasten and go thither, to enjoy the honor of taking it, 2Sa 11:12. From this time it became subject to the kings of Judah; but the kings of Israel subsequently became masters of it, with the tribes beyond Jordan. Towards the conclusion of the kingdom of Israel, Tiglathpileser having taken away a great part of the Israelites, the Ammonites were guilty of many cruelties against those who remained; for which the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel pronounced very severe prophecies against Rabbath, their captial, and against the rest of the country; which probably had their completion five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Jer 49:1-3; Eze 21:20.

Antiochus the Great afterwards took the city. It was long known to the Greeks and Romans as Philadelphia; but this name is now unknown in that vicinity, while the more ancient name still survives. It is now called Amman, and is about fifteen miles southeast of Szalt, the ancient Ramoth-Gilead. Burckhardt found there extensive runs, which he has described. He and numerous other travellers found it desolate, as had been foretold; it was literally "a stable for camels," "a couching-place for flocks," Eze 25:5.

Rabbath-Moab

See AR.

Rabbi And Rabboni

See RAB.

Raca

A word derived from a Hebrew word signifying vain, trifling, brainless; otherwise, beggarly, worthless. It is thus translated by the Vulgate, in Judg 11:3; in the English, "vain men." The word includes a strong idea of contempt. Christ says, Mt 5:22, whoever shall say to his brother, "Raca," shall be condemned by the council, or sanhedrim. The term translated "fool" in the same passage, means vile and abandoned wretch.

Race

Ps 19:5; Ec 9:11. Various games were instituted among the Greeks and Romans, in honor of their gods, and with the design of training young men to personal vigor and activity, and to intrepidity and skill in war. These games were celebrated at stated places and times, with great pomp; renowned statesmen, legislators, and kings engaged in them; and it was deemed the highest of all honors to be crowned with a simple chaplet of laurel, olive, pine, or parsley, in the presence of the vast assemblage of witnesses who delighted to honor the victor.

The preparatory training was very severe, and every weakening indulgence was forbidden. Among the most famous games were those celebrated on the isthmus of Corinth, hence called the Isthmian games; and to these Paul alludes in his letters to Corinth, 1Co 9:24-27. The foot race was a game of the first rank; other games were the chariot-race, wrestling, boxing, leaping, and throwing the quoit or the javelin. The foot-race well illustrates the Christian warfare, the sacrifices to be made, the diligent bringing the body under subjection, the laying aside every weight, the myriads of spectators lining the course, and among them those previously crowned victors, the exhausting efforts required, (from which the word agonize is derived,) and the glorious prize, Php 3:13; 2Ti 4:7,8; Heb 12:1.

Rachel

Ewe or sheep, Ru 4:11, the younger sister of Leah, daughter of Laban, and the chosen wife of Jacob, though her sister was favored with more children. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and died soon after the birth of the latter. See her history in Ge 29:1-35:29. Her sepulchre, half an hour’s walk north of Bethlehem, is shown unto this day, the spot being marked by a Mohammedan wely or tomb, a stone enclosure and a dome. The prophecy, Jer 31:15, representing her as mourning over her posterity, the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, is quoted in Mt 2:18, in reference to the massacre at Bethlehem, in which undoubtedly many of her descendants suffered. It is supposed that one of the many places called Ramah was adjacent to Bethlehem.

Raguel

Nu 10:29, or REUEL, Ex 2:15,18,21, the Hebrew word being the same in both places. These passages represent him as the father of Hobab and Zipporah, and he is generally supposed to be the same as Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. Some, however, think he was Jethro’s father, and that he is called the father of the others as being the head of the family. Compare Ge 31:43; 2Ki 14:3; 16:2.

Rahab

The English word Rahab represents two different Hebrew words:

1. RAHAB, a Canaanite woman of Jericho, who gave shelter to the two spies sent in thither by Joshua; and in return was spared, with all her kindred, when the city was taken and destroyed, Jos 2:1-21; 6:17-25. Her faith, in doing this, is commended in Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25. The Jews and many Christians endeavor to show that Rahab was only an honest innkeeper; but more probably the designation of "harlot" given to her in our Bible is correct. If she had at some time led a dissolute life, she had evidently repented; and she afterwards became a worshipper of Jehovah, and the wife of Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah, Ru 4:21; Mt 1:4.

The penitent publican and sinner are always welcome to Christ; and many such a one, through the renovating power of grace, will shine gloriously in heaven, while the unbelieving moralist will perish in his sins.

2. RAHAB, pride, insolence, a symbolical name for Egypt, Ps 87:4; 89:10; Isa 30:7; 51:9. In the last of these passages, Egypt is further symbolized as a ferocious sea-monster; but it is doubtful whether the word Rahab itself is ever used to denote a sea-monster.

Rain

In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14; Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2; Job 29:23; Isa 44:3; Ho 10:12.

It appears from meteorological records kept at Jerusalem, that the average annual fall of rain is fifty-five inches. It would seem therefore, that if the rains of Palestine could be preserved in pools and reservoirs, and employed in irrigating the ground during the summer, the old fertility might be restored; it would be clothed again with verdure, and become like "the garden of the Lord."

Rainbow

Ge 9:13-15. This beautiful phenomenon is owing to the refraction of the beams of the sun in passing the drops of falling rain; the rays are separated into the prismatic colors, and then reflected from the cloud opposite to the sun and the spectator. We need not suppose that the rainbow was unknown before the flood; but God then appointed it to be the cheering seal of his covenant with the earth, which is as steadfast as the natural laws from which the rainbow springs.

Ramah

Plural RAMOTH, an eminence; and hence many places in Palestine are named Ramah, Ramath, Ramath, Ramathaim, etc. Sometimes the same place is called by one or other of these names indiscriminately, all signifying the same, 2Ki 8:28,29. Sometimes Rama, Or Ramoth, is joined to another name, to determine the place of such city or eminence; and it is sometimes put simply for a high place, and signifies neither city nor village.

1. The principal Ramah was a city of Benjamin, near Gibeah, towards the mountains of Ephraim, six miles from Jerusalem north, and on the road from Samaria to Jerusalem, Jos 18:25; Judg 19:13; Ne 11:33. It was near the border line between Judah and Israel, and Baasha king of Israel caused it to be fortified, to obstruct the passage from the land of Judah into his own territory, 1Ki 15:17,21,22. It is also referred to in Isa 10:29; Jer 31:15; 40:1; Ho 5:8. Dr. Robinson finds it in the modern village Er-Ram, on a conical hill a little east of the road above-mentioned. The ruins are broken columns, a few bevelled stones, and large hewn stones, and an ancient reservoir on the southwest side. The village is almost deserted.

2. A city in mount Ephraim, called also Ramathaim-Zophim, or Ramah of the Zuphites, the place of Samuel’s birth, residence, and burial, 1Sa 1:1,19; 7:17; 8:4; 25:1; 28:3. Dr. Robinson suggests Soba, five miles west of Jerusalem, as its possible site. The resemblance of its name Ramathaim to Arimathea of the New Testament, together with intimations of early historians, have led to the general belief that these two places were identical. Arimathea, there is little doubt, lay on one of the hills east of Lydda, some twenty miles northwest of Jerusalem; and this site would meet most of the scriptural intimations as to the Ramah of Samuel. The chief difficulty is found in the account of Saul’s first visit to Samuel, 1Sa 9:4-12; 10:2.

The young prince "passed through the land of the Benjamites," going south or south-west, "and came to the land of Zuph" and the city where Samuel then was. After his interview with the prophet, and on his return home to Giveah of Benjamin, he passed "by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah." But the only "Rachel’s sepulchre" we know of was near Bethlehem, many miles south of the direct road from Arimathea to Gibeah. Accordingly, if we suppose this interview took place at Arimathea, we seem obliged to suppose another Rachel’s sepulchre between it and Gibeah; or if "Rachel’s sepulchre" was at Bethlehem, to infer that the city where Saul actually found Samuel, and at which the prophet had only that day arrived, 1Sa 9:10, was not his usual residence, but some place south or south-west of Bethlehem, only visited by him at intervals in his annual circuits as judge.

3. A city of Asher, Jos 19:29

4. A city of Naphtali, Jos 19:36. The site of both these places, visited by Dr. Robinson, is still called Rameh.

5. A city of Gilead, 2Ki 8:28,29. See RAMOTH.

6. A town belonging to Simeon, called Ramah of the south, Jos 19:8; 1Sa 30:27.

Ramathaim

See RAMAH.

Rameses

See RAAMSES.

Ramoth

A famous city in the mountains of Gilead; often called RamothGilead, and sometimes Ramath-Mizpeh, or the Watchtower, Jos 13:26. It belonged to Gad, was assigned to the Levites, and became one of the cities of refuge beyond Jordan, De 4:43; Jos 20:8; 21:38. It was famous during the reigns of the later kings of Israel, and was the occasion of several wars between these princes and the kings of Damascus, who had conquered it, and from whom the kings of Israel endeavored to regain it. Here Ahad died, Joram was wounded, and Jehu was anointed king of Israel, 1Ki 22:1-53; 2Ki 8:28,29; 9:1-14; 2Ch 22:5,6.

Raven

Ge 8:7; Le 11:15, a bird similar to the crow, but larger, and not gregarious. It feeds on dead bodies; and in its general characteristics resembles the crow of America. The eyes of its victim are the first part to be devoured, Pr 30:17; and it drives away its young as soon as they can begin to shift for themselves, Job 38:41; Ps 147:9. Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:6.

Rearward

The strong battalion that closed and guarded the rear of an army, Jos 6:13; Isa 52:12; 58:8.

Rebekah

A daughter of Bethuel, and sister of Laban in Mesopotamia, who became the wife of Isaac, and twenty years afterwards the mother of Jacob and Esau. The manner in which she was sought and obtained as the wife of Isaac, exhibits a striking picture of oriental manners and customs. Through her partiality for Jacob, she was tempted into the use of unjustifiable means to secure for him the inheritance, not having faith to leave to God the fulfilment of his own purposes, Ge 25:22,23. Her deceit led to disastrous results: Jacob fled from home; and when he returned from Mesopotamia twenty years afterwards, his mother lay buried in the cave of Machpelah, Ge 24:1-28:22; 49:31.

Rechabites

Scripture acquaints us, Jer 35:2-11, that Jonadab son of Rechab, in the time of Jehu king of Israel; laid an injunction on his posterity not to drink wine, not to build houses, not to plant vineyards, to have no lands, and to dwell in tents all their lives. This they continued to observe for above three hundred years; but in the last year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar coming to besiege Jerusalem, the Rechabites were forced to take refuge in the city, though still lodging in tents. During this siege, Jeremiah received orders from the Lord to invite them into the temple, and to offer them wine to drink. They refused to partake of it; and their fidelity to their father’s injunction was a severe reproof to the Jews; and the divine promise concerning the perpetuity of the family, Jer 35:19, was undoubtedly fulfilled, though it may now be impossible to distinguish temm, as some profess to do, among the tribes of Central Arabia.

Reconciliation

In Scripture, is the restoration of harmony between two persons at variance, by the removal of existing obstacles, 1Sa 29:4. Christ bids the man who has wronged his brother, to make peace with him, and secure his favor by confession and reparation, before presenting his gift at God’s altar, Mt 5:23,24. In the far more important matter of peace with God, to make human salvation possible, a just God must be reconciled to the sinner, and the rebellious sinner be reconciled to God. This reconciliation is effected by the blood of the Spirit, Ro 5:10; 2Co 5:19; Eph 2:16.

Recorder

Or remembrancer, a sort of registrar of affairs at the court of Judah, 2Sa 8:16; 1Ki 4:3; 2Ki 18:18.

Red Sea

See SEA.

Redeemer

A name given to Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, because he redeems mankind from the bondage and guilt of their sins, by dying in their place, and thus paying their ransom, Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13; Eph 1:7; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:18,19; Re 5:9. In the law of Moses, Le 25:25,48, this title is given to one who has the right of redemption in an inheritance, especially to a near kinsman, who may redeem it from a stranger or any Jew who had bought it. Such was Boaz, who, being one of the nearest relations of Elimelech, married Ruth the heiress of Elimelech, and thereby reentered into the possession of her estate. Jeremiah redeemed the field of his nephew Hanameel, which was on the point of being sold to another, Jer 32:7,8. So Christ became a partaker of flesh and blood, that as our near kinsman he might redeem for us the heavenly inheritance, Job 19:25,26.

The nearest kinsman was also called the redeemer of blood-in our English translation, the avenger, or revenger of blood; and had a right to revenge the blood of his murdered kinsman, Nu 35:12,19,21; De 19:6,12. To protect the innocent from these avengers, or redeemers, God appointed cities of refuge throughout Israel. See REFUGE, CITIES OF.

Reed

Sometimes a stalk or rod of any plant, as of the hyssop, Mt 27:48; Joh 19:29.

Usually, however, the word reed denotes a reed or cane growing in marshy grounds, Job 40:21; Isa 19:6; slender and fragile, and hence taken as an emblem of weakness, 1Ki 18:21; Isa 36:6; Eze 29:6; and of instability, Mt 11:7. "A bruised reed," Isa 42:3; Mt 12:20, is an emblem of a soul crushed and ready to sink in despair under a sense of its guilty and lost condition. Such a soul the Saviour will graciously sustain and strengthen. The reed of spice, or good reed, (English version, "sweet calamus," Ex 30:23, "sweet cane" Jer 6:20) also called simply reed, (English version, "calamus" or "sweet cane,") Isa 43:24; Song 4:14; Eze 27:19, is the sweet flag of India, calamus odoratus. Reeds were anciently used as pens and as measuring-rods, Eze 40:5; 42:16. The Hebrew "reed" is supposed to have been about ten feet long.

Refuge, Cities Of

To provide security for those who should undesignedly kill a man, the Lord commanded Moses to appoint six cities of refuge, or asylums, that any one who should thus shed blood might retire thither, and have time to prepare his defence before the judges, and that the kinsmen of the deceased might not pursue and kill him, Ex 21:13; Nu 35:11-34. Of such cities there were three on each side Jordan. On the west were Kedesh of Naphtali, Shechem, and Hebron; on the east, Golan, Ramoth-Gilead, and Bezer, Jos 20:7,8. These cities served not only for Hebrews, but for all strangers who resided in the country, De 19:1-10. The Lord also commanded that when the Hebrews should multiply and enlarge their land, they should add three other cities of refuge. But this command was never fulfilled.

The custom of blood-revenge appears to have been an institution or principle very early introduced among the nomadic oriental tribes. So firmly was this practice established among the Israelites before their entrance into the promised land, and probably also even before their sojourning in Egypt, that Moses was directed by Jehovah not to attempt to eradicate it entirely, but only to counteract and modify it by the institution of cities of refuge. The custom of avenging the blood of a member of a family or tribe upon some member of the tribe or family of the slayer, still exists in full force among the modern Bedaweens, the representatives in a certain sense of the ancient Israelites in the desert. They prefer this mode of self-vengeance. Niebuhr informs us that "the Arabs rather avenge themselves, as the law allows, upon the family of the murderer; and seek an opportunity of slaying its head, or most considerable person, whom they regard as being properly the person guilty of the crime, as it must have been committed through his negligence in watching over the conduct of those under his inspection. From this time the two families are in continual fears, till some one or other of the murderer’s family be slain. No reconciliation can take place between them, and the quarrel is still occasionally renewed. There have been instances of such family feuds lasting forty years. If in the contest a man of the murdered person’s family happens to fall, there can be no peace until two others of the murderer’s family have been slain." How far superior to this was the Mosaic institution of cities of refuge, where the involuntary homicide might remain in peace till the death of the high-priest, and then go forth in safety, while a really guilty person did not escape punishment.

Among most of the nations of antiquity, temples, and particularly the altars within them, were regarded as proffering an asylum for fugitives from violence. Among the Hebrews we find indications of the custom on the part of the culprit of fleeing to the Lord’s altar. But this was not allowed to screen the guilty from deserved punishment, Ex 21:14; 1Ki 2:28-34.

There is an appointed city of refuge for sinners exposed to the second death, and an altar of refuge sprinkled with atoning blood. Happy the soul that flees and is safe in Christ, ere it is overtaken by the avenging law of God.

Regeneration

The new birth; that work of the Holy Spirit by which the soul, previously dead in sins, is created anew in Christ unto righteousness. It is expressed in Scripture by being born again and born from above, Joh 3:3-7; becoming a new creature, 2Co 5:17; being quickened to a new life of holiness, Eph 2:1; having Christ formed in the heart, Ga 4:19; and being made partaker of the divine nature, 2Pe 1:4.

The sole author of this change is the Holy Spirit, Joh 1:12,13; 3:4; Eph 2:8-10; and he effects it ordinarily by the instrumentality of gospel truth, 1Co 4:15; Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. In this change the moral image of God is brought back into the soul, and the principle of supreme love to our neighbor is implanted. Regeneration, producing faith, is accompanied by justification, and by actual holiness of life, or sanctification begun, and completed when the "babe in Christ" reaches in heaven "the fulness of the stature of the perfect man" in Him. In Mt 19:28, regeneration means Christ’s making all things new. In Tit 3:5, "the washing of regeneration" denotes the purifying work of the Spirit in the new birth.

Rehabiah

A grandson of Moses, and the only son of Eliezer; his numerous posterity are mentioned as betokening the divine favor, 1Ch 23:17.

Rehob

1. A Levitical city in Asher, Jos 19:28; 21:31, on the northern border of the Holy Land, called also Beth-rehob, and lying in a valley south of Anti-Lebanon, not far north of Dan, Nu 13:21; Judg 18:28. It was long governed by its own kings, Judg 1:31, but in the time of David was rendered tributary, 2Sa 10:6,8,19. Some think there were two cities of this name in Asher.

2. The father of Hadadezer king of Zobah in Syria, 2Sa 8:3.

Rehoboam

The son and successor of Solomon, by Naamah, an Ammonitess, 1Ki 12:1-33; 14:21-31; 2Ch 10:1-12:16. He was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and was therefore born at the beginning of his father’s reign.

He ascended the throne about 975 B.C., and reigned seventeen years at Jerusalem. Under his reign the ten tribes revolted, and formed the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. The immediate cause of this schism was Rehoboam’s headstrong folly in rejecting experienced counselors, and claiming tyrannical power. He at once sought to recover the revolted tribes by force; and though directed by God not to make war, he did not long delay hostilities, and these continued during his whole reign. The people also fell into idolatry, and were punished in the fifth year of Rehoboam by an Egyptian army, which subjected them to a heavy tribute. See SHISHAK.

Scripture leads us to trace the sins and misfortunes of Rehoboam in part to the influence of his heathen mother, 2Ch 12:13. The latter portion of his reign seems to have passed more quietly.

Rehoboth

1. A city of ancient Assyria, site unknown, Ge 10:11.

2. A place in the wilderness south of Gerar and Beersheba, so named by Isaac on the occasion of his digging a well there, Ge 26:22.

3. A city on the Euphrates, thought to be the modern Er-rahabeh, south of Carchemish, Ge 36:37; 1Ch 1:48; 17:3

Rehum

An officer of the king of Persia, in Samaria, during the rebuilding of the temple; by an insidious letter to the king he procured an edict for the discontinuance of this work for a time, probably two years or more preceding 520 B.C., when it was resumed.

Reins

Or KIDNEYS. The Hebrews often make the reins the seat of the affections, and ascribe to them knowledge, joy, pain, pleasure; hence in Scripture it is said that God searches the heart and tries the reins.

Remphan

An idol, the same as Chiun. Compare Am 5:26; Ac 7:43. See CHIUN.

Repentance

A change of mind, accompanied with regret and sorrow for something done, and an earnest wish that it was undone. Such was the repentance of Juda, Mt 27:3; and so it is said that Esau found "no place of repentance" in his father Isaac, although he sought it with tears, Heb 12:17; that is, Isaac would not change what he had done, and revoke the blessing given to Jacob, Ge 27:1-46. God is sometimes said to "repent" of something he had done, Ge 6:6; Jon 3:9,10; not that he could wish it undone, but that in his providence such a change of course took place as among men would be ascribed to a change of mind. But the true gospel repentance, or "repentance unto life," is sorrow for sin, grief for having committed it, and a turning away from it with abhorrence, accompanied with sincere endeavors, in reliance on God’s grace and the influences of the Holy Spirit, to live in humble and holy obedience to the commands and will of God. This is that repentance which always accompanies true faith, and to which is promised the free forgiveness of sin through the merits of Jesus Christ, Mt 4:17; Ac 3:19; 11:18; 20:12.

Repetitions

In prayers, which our Saviour censures, Mt 6:7, were short forms or particular expressions in prayer, which the Jews were accustomed to repeat a certain number of times. So Roman-catholics still repeat the Lord’s prayer, Ave Marias, etc., a great number of times; and think that the oftener a prayer is repeated, the more meritorious and efficacious it is. The repeated cry of a soul in earnest is indeed welcome to God, Ge 18:1-33; Mt 26:44; Lu 18:1; but he regards the heart and not the lips; and the greater the number of prayers one repeats as a task by which to acquire merit, the greater his sin.

Rephaim

The Hebrew word is used in two distinct significations.

1. REPHAIM is used to comprehend all the gigantic races of the Canaanites, of whom there were several families. There were Rephaim beyond Jordan, at Ashtaroth Karnaim, in the time of Abraham, Ge 14:5; also some in the time of Moses. Og king of Bashan was of the Rephaim. In the time of Joshua, some of their descendants dwelt in the land of Canaan, Jos 12:4; 17:15, and we hear of them in David’s time, in the city of Gath, 1Ch 20:4-6. The giant Goliath and others were the remains of the Rephaim, or of the kindred family of Anakim. Their magnitude and strength are often spoken of in Scripture. They appear to have excelled in violence and crime, and hence are monuments of divine justice.

2. REPHAIM, the shades or spirits of the departed, dwelling in Sheol or Hades, generally rendered in our version, "the dead" ("dead things," Job 26:5); Ps 88:10; Pr 2:18; 21:16, etc.

THE VALLEY OF THE REPHAIM, OR GIANTS, was famous in Joshua’s time, Jos 15:8; 17:15; 18:16, and in the time of David, who here defeated the Philistines, 2Sa 5:18,22; 1Ch 11:6; 14:9. It was a broad and fertile valley, Isa 17:5, beginning near the valley of Hinnom, and extending several miles south-west from Jerusalem, when it contracted to a narrow passage leading off towards the Mediterranean. It was in Judah, but near the border of Benjamin.

Rephidim

An encampment of the Israelites between the wilderness of Sin and mount Sinai, where the people murmured, and God gave them water from the rock. Here also the Amalekites attacked them, and were defeated, Ex 17:1-16. It is thought to have been in the valley now called esh-Sheikh, a day’s march northwest of Sinai, and near the western border of the Horeb group of mountains. SEE SINAI.

Reprobate

Rejected as not enduring the test of worthiness, Jer 6:30. Some men are spoken of as reprobate even in this life, being hardened in sin and unbelief, Ro 1:28; 2Ti 3:8; Tit 1:16.

Resen

An ancient Assyrian city, between Nineveh and Calah, Ge 10:12. Its exact position cannot now be determined.

Respect Of Persons

The judges of the Hebrews were directed to give sentence strictly according to truth and justice, without regard to the comparative wealth, influence or other advantage of one party over the other, Le 19:15; De 16:17; Pr 24:23. Thus God judges, not according to outward appearance or station, but according to the heart, Ac 10:34; Ro 2:6-11. Thus ought men to estimate and treat their fellow men; and to court the favor of the rich and influential is sharply censured in Scripture, Pr 28:21; Jas 2:1-9; Jude 1:16.

Rest

In Ac 9:31, refers to the respite from persecution enjoyed by the Christians in Palestine, after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, during the last two years of Caligula’s short reign, A. D. 39 and 40, when the Jews were so harassed by the attempts of the emperor to force them to worship him as a god, that they forbore to afflict the followers of Christ.

Restitution

Job 20:10,18. The repairing of wrongs done, and the restoring of what one has wrongfully taken from another, are strictly enjoined in Scripture, and are a necessary evidence of true repentance, Ex 22:1-15; Ne 5:1-13; Lu 19:8. Restoration should be perfect and just; replacing, so far as possible, all that has been taken, with interest, Le 6:1-6; 24:21. In Ac 3:21, the time of the "restitution of all things," is the time when Christ shall appear in his glory, and establish his kingdom as foretold in the Scriptures.

Resurrection Of Christ

This is of fundamental importance in Christianity, both historically and doctrinally. As a fact indisputable proved, it was the crowning demonstration of the truth of all Christ’s claims, 1Co 15:14-18. He had repeatedly foretold it; and his enemies were careful to ascertain that he was actually dead, and to guard his tomb for additional security. Yet he rose from the dead on the third day, and appeared on eleven different occasions to numerous witnesses, convincing even those who were the most doubtful, and after forty days ascended to heaven from the mount of Olives. To this all-important fact the apostles gave great prominence in their preaching.

Ac 1:22; 2:24-32; 4:33; 10:40,41. In its relation to Christian doctrine it stands as a rock of strength, assuring us of God’s acceptance of the expiatory Sacrifice, of Christ’s triumphant accomplishment of the work of redemption, and of his raising to immortal life the souls and bodies of his people. He was buried under the load of our offences; but he rose again, almighty to justify and save us. His dying proved the greatness of his love; his rising again shows that his love had secured its object.

Resurrection Of The Dead

It is the peculiar glory of the New Testament that it makes a full revelation of this great doctrine, which was questioned or derided by the wisest of the heathen, Ac 17:32. In the Old Testament also we find, though less frequently, the doctrine asserted; as for example, Isa 26:19; Da 12:2. When our Saviour appeared in Judea, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was received as a principal article of religion by the whole Jewish nation except the Sadducees. Their denial of it rested on the assumption that at death the whole man, soul and body, perishes. "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit," Ac 23:8. Hence the refutation of this unscriptural assumption was a complete overthrow of the ground on which their denial of a future resurrection rested; for if the soul can survive the body, it is plain that God can give it another body. In this way our Lord met and effectually refuted them, Mt 22:31,32; Mr 12:26,27.

The resurrection of Christ is everywhere represented in the New Testament as a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all the just, who are united to him by faith, 1Co 15:49; 1Th 3:13, in virtue of their union with him as their Head. He is "the resurrection and the life," Joh 11:25; they "sleep in Jesus," and shall be brought to glory "with him," 1Th 4:13-17; 5:10; their "life is hid with Christ in God," Col 3:3; and because he lives, they shall live also, Joh 14:19. The Scriptures also teach that there will be a resurrection of the unjust. But they shall be raised, not to be glorified with Christ, but to be judged by him, and sentenced to eternal punishment, Da 12:2; Joh 5:28,29 compared with Mt 28:20; Ac 24:15.

To cavillers against this doctrine in his own day, Christ replied, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." The work is miraculous; and He who is omniscient and omnipotent will permit nothing to frustrate his designs. He has not revealed to us the precise nature of the spiritual body, nor in what its identity with the earthly body consists; but it will be incorruptible, fashioned like Christ’s glorious body, Php 3.21, and a meet companion of the soul made perfect in his likeness.

Reuben

Behold, a son! The eldest son of Jacob and Leah, so-called in reference to the sentiment of his mother, "The Lord hath looked on my affliction," Ge 29:32. Reuben, having defiled his father’s concubine Bilhah, lost his birthright and all the privileges of primogeniture, the preeminence in the family being given to Judah, and the double portion to the two sons of Joseph, Ge 35:22; 48:5; 49:3,4,8,10; 1Ch 5:1,2. He shared in his brother’s jealousy of Joseph, and yet interposed to save his life at Dothan with the design of restoring him privately to his father, Ge 37:18-30. See also his well-meant proposal in Ge 42:27. His tribe was never numerous or powerful in Israel. Dathan, Abiram, and On were members of it. It was the ninth of the tribes in the order of population when they entered Canaan, Nu 1:21; 26:7. Their inheritance was the fine pastureland east of the Jordan, between the Arnon on the south and Gilead on the north; it is now called Belka, Nu 32:1-42; Jos 22:1-34. We afterwards find them reproved by Deborah for remissness, Judg 5:15,16. Their position on the frontier exposed them to many assaults from the east, 2Ki 10:33; and they were among the first captives to Assyria, 1Ch 5:26, B. C. 740.

Revelation

An extraordinary and supernatural disclosure made by God, whether by dream, vision, ecstasy, or otherwise, of truths beyond man’s unaided power to discover. Paul, alluding to his visions and revelations, 2Co 12:1,7, speaks of them in the third person, out of modesty; and declares that he could not tell whether he was in the body or out of the body. Elsewhere he says that he had received his gospel by a particular revelation, Ga 1:12.

For the BOOK OF REVELATION, see APOCALYPSE.

Revenger

Or AVENGER OF BLOOD, is a name given in Scripture to the man who had the right, according to the Jewish polity, of taking revenge on him who had killed one of his relations. If a man had been guilty of manslaughter involuntarily and without design, he fled to a city of refuge. See REFUGE, CITIES OF.

Rezeph

A city conquered by the Assyrians, 2Ki 19:12; Isa 37:12. It is thought to have been afterwards called Rasapha, and to have stood some twenty-five miles west of the Euphrates towards Palmyra.

Rezin

A king of Damascene Syria, who united with Pekah king of Israel to invade Judah, B. C. 742, 2Ki 15:1-38,37; 16:5-10; Isa 7:1. Turning away from before Jerusalem, Rezin extended his conquests to the south as far as Elath; but was erelong conquered and slain by Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, whose aid had been procured by king Ahaz. His people also were carried captive beyond the Tigris, Isa 8:6; 9:11.

Rezon

The founder of a dynasty in Syria-Damascus in the time of David, and a great annoyance to Solomon, 1Ki 11:23-25. He had been an officer under Hadadezer king of Zobah.

Rhegium

Now Reggio, capital of the province of Calabria Ultra, in the kingdom of Naples, on the coast near the south-west extremity of Italy, eight miles south-east of Messina in Sicily. The ship in which Paul was on his way to Rome touched here, Ac 28:13,14. Rhegium was a city of considerable note in ancient times. The modern city was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in 1783, and now contains about eighteen thousand inhabitants.

Rhoda

Rose, a young damsel in the household of Mary mother of John Mark, when Peter was miraculously released from prison, Ac 12:13.

Rhodes

An island and a famous city in the Levant, the ancient name of which was Ophiusa. Its modern name alludes to the great quantity and beauty of the roses that grew there. The island is about forty miles long and fifteen wide; its mountains are well wooded, and its valleys highly fertile. The city of Rhodes, at the northeast extremity of the island, was one of the most celebrated of the Greek cities. It was famous for its brazen Colossus, which was one hundred and five feet high, made by Chares of Lyndus: it stood at the mouth of the harbor of the city, on sixty marble columns, and continued perfect only fifty-six years, being thrown down by an earthquake, under the reign of Ptolemy Euergetes king of Egypt, who began to reign B.C. 244. When Paul went to Jerusalem, A. D. 58, he visited Rhodes, Ac 21:1. Modern Rhodes is a Turkish walled town of 15,000 inhabitants, and considerable commerce. The air of Rhodes is proverbially pure, and its climate serene.

Riblah

A city of Syria, in the country of Hamath, at the north-east extremity of Canaan, Nu 34:11. Its site is probably found in the modern village Ribleh, on the river Orontes, at the northern end of the great valley of Lebanon, El-Bukaa.. Through this valley, by way of Hamath and Riblah, was the readiest access to Palestine from the north. At Riblah king Jehoahaz was taken and deposed by Pharaoh- necho; here also Nebuchadnezzar established his headquarters when warring against Judah, 2Ki 23:33; 25:6,20,21; Jer 39:5; 52:10.

Right-Hand

The most efficient member of the body, Mt 5:30, and the ready executor of the behests of the will. Hence its use as a symbol of many of the strongest emotions of the inner man. The right-hand is significant of power, especially the almighty power of God, Ex 15:6; Ps 21:8; 77:10; of honor, Ps 45:9; Mt 25:34; Ac 7:55; of special benediction, Ge 48:14; of fraternal love, Ga 2:9; of hostility, Ps 109:6; Zec 3:1; and of allegiance, 1Ch 29:24. It was raised in the act of prayer, and also in taking an oath, Ge 14:22; hence the right-hand of a perjured man was "a right-hand of falsehood," Ps 144:8. In regard to the points of the compass, the right-hand in Hebrew denotes the south, 1Sa 23:19; 24:1-22; as the left-hand means the north, Ge 14:15. See EAST.

Righteousness

Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion, Ge 18:23; Le 19:15; Isa 60:17; Ro 14:17; Eph 5:9.