Rezeph
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Aramean city-state located in the region of Hamath, known from Assyrian and biblical records.
What is the meaning of Rezeph in the Bible?
Rezeph (also spelled Ruqa'a) was an Aramean city mentioned in the Assyrian annals of Sennacherib and in the Hebrew Bible (2 Kings 18:19) as part of the coalition of kings who resisted Judah. The site is identified with modern Tell al-Ruqa'a, situated east of the Euphrates river in the Hamath region of modern-day Syria.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Rezeph helps readers understand the geopolitical landscape of the late 8th century BCE, illustrating the extent of Assyrian influence and the network of allied states that pressured Judah during the reigns of Sennacherib and Hezekiah.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.