בֵּית רְחוֹב
𐤁𐤉𐤕 𐤓𐤇𐤅𐤁
Bêyth Rᵉchôwb
H1050 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun indicating a specific locality, 'Beth-Rechob,' meaning 'house of Rechob' or 'house by the broad place/open square.' Refers primarily to a settlement or town, typically identified with a region north of Israelite territory in narrative accounts. The term can denote a town located near the region of Lebo-hamath, often considered part of Aramean territory during the monarchic period. The term is not descriptive of a type of settlement but serves as a toponym.
Semantic Range
(as toponym) house of the broad place, house of the square, Beth-Rechob (name of a settlement), possibly referring to a city or administrative center distinguished by a central plaza or wide street
Root / Etymology
Derived from the noun בַּיִת (bayit, 'house') and רְחוֹב (rechov, 'broad place, open square, street'). Combined, the phrase בֵּית רְחוֹב (Bêyth Rᵉchôwb) literally means 'house of the broad place' or 'house of the square.' The construction בֵּית X is a standard format for Hebrew place names, often signifying 'place of X' or 'house dedicated to X.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Beth-Rechob appears as a city or region north of Israelite holdings, referenced in contexts relating to military and political alliances (e.g., Judges 18:28; 2 Samuel 10:6, 8). It is presented as an Aramean entity during the United Monarchy, potentially indicating a city-state rather than an Israelite settlement. English translations have rendered the term as a proper noun rather than attempting to translate its etymology. The use of בֵּית in toponyms can sometimes indicate a sanctuary or principal structure, but in the case of Beth-Rechob, it designates a town. Related terms include other בֵּית-prefixed place names, which may mean 'house' in a familial, religious, or geographic sense depending on context. The meaning of רְחוֹב ('broad place, square, street') in this context likely emphasizes a central open area, typical of ancient settlements' communal or administrative centers. In post-biblical contexts, the word רְחוֹב becomes standard for 'street' or 'plaza,' but its use in personal and place names is preserved from earlier periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בַּיִת and רְחֹב; house of (the) street; Beth-Rechob, a place in Palestine; Beth-rehob.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בנה (b-n-h) — build, construct, establish (family)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1004 | בַּיִת | in the houses |
| H1005 | בַּיִת | the built-house |
| H1006 | בַּיִת | the house |
| H1007 | בֵּית אָוֶן | house-of |
| H1008 | בֵּית־אֵל | in house of |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1050-03 |
רְח֑וֹב | rechov | HNp |
Rehob | Beth‑Rechob | 2 |
H1050-01 |
בֵּית | beyt | HNp |
house of | house-of | 1 |
H1050-02 |
לְ/בֵית | leveyt | HR/Np |
to Beth | to a built-house | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1050-02 |
Judges 18:28 | לְ/בֵית | leveyt | HR/Np |
to Beth | to a built-house |
H1050-03 |
Judges 18:28 | רְח֑וֹב | rechov | HNp |
Rehob | Beth‑Rechob |
H1050-01 |
2 Samuel 10:6 | בֵּית | beyt | HNp |
house of | house-of |
H1050-03 |
2 Samuel 10:6 | רְח֜וֹב | rechov | HNp |
Rehob | Beth‑Rechob |