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Rehoboam meaning

Rehoboam in Biblical Hebrew
רחבעם
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Source: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Rehoboam.html

🔼The name Rehoboam: Summary

Meaning
The People Are Enlarged, People Of Width
Etymology
From (1) the verb רחב (rahab), to be wide, and (2) the noun עם ('am), people.
Related names
• Via רחב (rahab): Beth-rehob, Rahab, Rehabiah, Rehob, Rehoboth-ir
• Via עם ('am): Adullam, Amalek, Amalekite, Amam, Amasa, Ammi, Ammiel, Ammihud, Ammihur, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Ammizabad, Ammon, Amram, Aniam, Balaam, Ben-ammi, Bileam, Chephar-ammoni, Eliam, Gomorrah, Ibleam, Immanuel, Ithream, Jashobeam, Jekameam, Jeroboam, Jokdeam, Jokmeam, Jokneam, Jorkeam, Lo-ammi, Ummah

🔼The name Rehoboam in the Bible

Rehoboam is the son and successor of king Solomon (1 Kings 11:43). By being a bully instead of a manager, Rehoboam causes the detrimental breach in the united kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam becomes the king of Judah (and Simeon). His nemesis Jeroboam becomes king of the northern ten tribes.

And since Rehoboam is an ancestor of Christ, he is incorporated in Matthew's genealogy through Solomon (spelled Ροβοαμ, Rhoboam; Matthew 1:7).

🔼Etymology of the name Rehoboam

The name Rehoboam is a compilation of two elements. The first part of the name comes from the verb רחב (rahab), meaning to be wide:

Excerpted from: Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary
רחב

The verb רחב (rahab) means to be or become large or wide — mostly of territory but also of fame, abilities, courage, trouble and so on.

This verb's derivatives are: the nouns רחב (rahab) and רחב (rohab), width or wideness; adjective רחב (rahab), broad or wide; noun רחוב (rehob), a broad open place or plaza, and noun מרחב (merhab), a broad or roomy place.

— See the full Dictionary article —

The second part of the name Rehoboam is the common noun עם (am) meaning a people:

Excerpted from: Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary
עמם

The verb עמם ('mm) probably expressed to be inclusive or comprehensive. Its rare uses in the Bible relate to making secrets or making info available to an in-crowd. Preposition עם ('im) means 'with', מעם (me'im) means 'from', and עמה ('umma) means 'beside'. Noun עם ('am) means a people, ranging from all of mankind to the in-crowd of a small village. Noun עם ('am) refers to one's (paternal) kinsman.

— See the full Dictionary article —

🔼Rehoboam meaning

Rehoboam means Enlarges The People (according to Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names) or The People Are Enlarged (according to NOBSE Study Bible Name List).