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RABBI [rab´-bi], RABBONI [rab-bo´-ni] (my teacher) — a title of honor and respect given by the Jews to a doctor (teacher) of the Law (John 1:38; 20:16). Today rabbi means a Jew trained for professional religious leadership.
RABSHAKEH, THE [rab´-sha-keh] (chief cupbearer) — the title of an Assyrian military official under Sennacherib, king of Assyria (2 Kings 18:17–37, NKJV; Isa. 36:2–22, NKJV).
RACA [ra´-cah] (stupid) — a disrespectful comment (Matt. 5:22, NKJV). The word appears often in the writings of the Jewish rabbis with the meaning of “ignorant, senseless, or empty-headed.” To say “Raca” to a person was like saying,“You idiot!”
RACHEL [ra´-chel] (lamb) — the younger daughter of Laban. Rachel was the second wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
RAHAB [ra´-hab] — a harlot of Jericho who hid two Hebrew spies and helped them escape. She became an ancestor of David and Jesus (Josh. 2:1–21; 6:17–25; Matt. 1:5).
RAHAB THE DRAGON [ra´-hab] — a mythological sea monster or dragon that represented the evil forces of chaos that God subdued by His creative power. The name Rahab as it occurs in Job 9:13, Job 26:12, Isaiah 30:7, and Isaiah 51:9 has no connection with the personal name of Rahab, the harlot of Jericho (Josh. 2:1–21). The references to Rahab in the books of Job, Psalms, and Isaiah, refer to an evil power overcome by God.
Ancient tomb near Bethlehem, traditionally identified as the burial place of Rachel (Gen. 48:2, 7).
RAIL — to criticize; to scold. Also, “revile” (2 Chron. 32:17, NKJV; 1 Sam. 25:14, NKJV),“blasphemed” (Mark 15:29, NKJV; Luke 23:39, NKJV), “reviling” (1 Tim. 6:4, NKJV; 1 Pet. 3:9, NKJV), and “reviler” (1 Cor. 5:11, NKJV).
RAIMENT — clothing (Gen. 24:53, KJV; Matt. 3:4, KJV).
RAINBOW — a colorful arch in the sky. A rainbow happens when light passes through moisture in the air. The most important reference to the rainbow in the Bible occurs in Genesis 9:13–17, where the rainbow serves as a sign of God’s covenant with Noah.
RAM [ramm] (high, exalted) — a male goat used in sacrifices (Gen. 15:9, NKJV). A ram is also a weapon and the name of three men in the Bible.
RAMA [ra´-mah], RAMAH [ra´-mah] (height) — the name of six cities in the Old Testament. The two most important cities were:
1. Ramah of Benjamin, a city given to the tribe of Benjamin (Josh. 18:25).
2. Ramah of Ephraim, a city where the prophet Samuel was born, lived, and was buried (1 Sam. 7:17; 19:18–23; 28:3).
RAMESES, RAAMSES [ram´-ah-seez, ram´-seez] (the god Ra has fathered a son) — the royal city of the Egyptian kings of the 19th and 20th dynasties (about 1300–1100 B.C.) located in the northeastern section of the Nile Delta. While the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt, they were forced to build the cities of Pithom and Raamses (Exod. 1:11).
RAMPART — a fortification consisting of an elevation or embankment often provided with a wall to protect soldiers. A rampart was used as a protective barrier against an attacking army. The Hebrew word translated as rampart (Lam. 2:8, NKJV; Nah. 3:8, NKJV) means encirclement.
RAPTURE — a reference to the concept of Christians joining Christ upon His glorious return (Mark 13:26–27; 1 Thess. 4:16–17).
RASH — impulsive; a quick thoughtless act (Eccles. 5:2, NKJV).
The modern village of Ramah, successor to the Old Testament city where the prophet Samuel was born and buried.
REAP, REAPING — the practice of harvesting grain.
REAR — to raise, like to raise a child (2 Kings 10;1, NKJV).
REBECCA [re-bek´-kah], REBEKAH [re-bek´-kah] — the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob.
REBUKE — strong disapproval (Isa. 25:8, NKJV).
RECHAB, RECAB [re´-kab] (charioteer) —the name of three men in the Old Testament:
1. A son of Rimmon, a Benjamite from Beeroth (2 Sam. 4:2, 5, 9).
2. The father of Jehonadab (2 Kings 10:15, 23). Jehonadab helped Jehu in his fight against Baal worshipers.
3. The father of Malchijah (Neh. 3:14). Malchijah helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
RECKON — to consider; to count (Rom. 4:4, KJV).
RECOMPENSE — a payback or reward (Ruth 2:12, KJV; Luke 14:14, KJV).
RECONCILE, RECONCILIATION — the Bible teaches that God and mankind are separated from one another because of God’s holiness and human sinfulness. The process by which God and people are brought together again is called reconciliation. God loves the sinner (Rom. 5:8, KJV), but it is impossible for Him not to judge sin (Heb. 10:27, KJV).
RECORD — witness (John 1:19, KJV).
RECOUNT — to call; to summon (Nah. 2:5, KJV).
RED HEIFER — a young cow “without blemish” that was slaughtered outside the camp of the Israelites and then burned in the fire. Its ashes were to be used in the water for the purification ceremony for uncleanness. The need for purification from uncleanness would arise when a person touched a corpse, a human bone, or a grave (Num. 19:2–17, NKJV).
A rocky shore along the Red Sea, at a point north of where the Israelites crossed during the Exodus (Exod. 14).
RED SEA — a narrow body of water that stretches in a southeasterly direction from Suez to the Gulf of Aden for about thirteen hundred miles.
REDEEM — to buy back; to pay for (Gal. 3:13).
REDEMPTION — deliverance by payment of a price. In the New Testament, redemption refers to salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God by Christ’s sacrifice. In the Old Testament, redemption refers to redemption by a kinsman (Lev. 25:24, 51–52, NKJV), rescue or deliverance (Num. 3:49, NKJV), and ransom (Ps. 111:9, NKJV).
REED — a plant used to make baskets and paper (Matt. 27:30, NKJV).
REEL — to wobble like a drunken person (Isa. 24:20, NKJV).
REFINE — to separate pure metal from the impurities in the ore in the smelting process. This procedure is spoken of in the Old Testament as a symbol of God’s purification of the nation of Israel when he sent hardship and affliction upon them as punishment for their sins (Jer. 9:7, NKJV; Zech. 13:9, NKJV).
REFRAIN — to keep from doing; to stay away from (Acts 5:38, KJV).
REFUGE — a safe place (Ps. 46:1, NKJV).
REGENERATION — the spiritual change that happens in a person’s life because of an act of God. A person’s sinful nature is changed, and they are able to respond to God in faith.
REGISTER — a written record (Ezra 2:62, NKJV).
REHOBOAM [re-ho-bo´-am] (the people is enlarged) — the son of Solomon and the last king of the united monarchy and first king of the southern kingdom, Judah (reigned about 931–913 B.C.). His mother was Naamah, a woman of Ammon (1 Kings 14:31).
REIGN — to rule (Matt. 2:22, NKJV).
RELIEF — aid; help; assistance (Acts 11:29, NKJV).
RELIGION, RELIGIOUS — belief in and reverence for God or some supernatural power that is recognized as the creator and ruler of the universe; an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior and a proper form of worship.
REMISSION — release from sin (Acts 2:38, NKJV; Heb. 9:22, NKJV).
REMNANT — the part of a community or nation that remains after a dreadful judgment or devastating calamity and forms a new community (Isa. 10:20–23, NKJV).
REND, RENT — to tear or pull apart. In the ancient world, rending one’s garments was a sign of grief, despair, or sorrow. To “rend your heart” (Joel 2:13, NKJV) signified inward, spiritual repentance and sorrow for sin. God’s primary requirement from sinners is “a broken and a contrite heart” (Ps. 51:17, KJV).
In the eighth century B.C., Amos prophesied Israel’s doom (8:1, 2), but he also declared the possibility of deliverance for the “remnant of Joseph” (5:15). Throughout history God has always preserved a remnant of His people, as the following chart shows.
People or Group
Reference
Noah and family in the Flood
Gen. 7:1
Joseph in Egypt during the famine
Gen. 45:7
Israel to their homeland
Deut. 4:27–31
7,000 who had not worshiped Baal
1 Kings 19:18
Portion of Judah after captivity
Isa. 10:20–23
Remnant to Zion
Mic. 2:12, 13
The church—both Jews and Gentiles
Rom. 9:22–27
RENDER — to pay; to return (Matt. 22:21).
RENOWN — fame (Ezek. 16:14).
REPENTANCE — a turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God. Generally, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of sorrow or regret for past behavior. True repentance is a “godly sorrow” for sin. It is an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads a person to a closer relationship to God (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 15:7, 10).
REPHIDIM [ref´-i-dim] — an Israelite camp in the wilderness (Exod. 17:1–7). The Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim (Exod. 17:8–16). During the battle, Moses stood on a hill and held the rod of God high up in the air. Aaron and Hur helped him by holding his arms up until sundown. The Israelites won the battle at Rephidim.
REPORT — testimony (Acts 6:3, KJV).
REPROACH — to scorn; to rebuke; to shame (1 Tim. 3:7, NKJV).
REPROBATE — a person who fails to pass a test and is rejected.While the word “reprobate” only appears in the KJV, it speaks strongly against the people who God has rejected and left to their own corruption (Rom. 1:28).
REPROVE — convict (John 16:8, KJV).
REQUITE — repay (1 Tim. 5:4, KJV).
RESIDUE — that which remains; left over (Acts 15:17, KJV).
RESOLVED — figured out (Luke 16:4, NKJV).
RESPECT OF PERSONS — showing favoritism or partiality toward certain people (Acts 10:34, KJV; James 2:1, KJV).
RESPITE — relief; rest (Exod. 8:15).
RESTITUTION — the act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, stolen, lost, or surrendered. Leviticus 6:1–7 gives the Mosaic Law of restitution. This law tells the rules to be followed in restoring stolen property.
RESURRECTION — being raised from the dead. Resurrection refers to individuals who have been brought back to life (resuscitated) in this present world (Matt. 22:23).
RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST —a central doctrine of Christianity that affirms that God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day. Without the resurrection, the apostle Paul declared, Christian preaching and belief are meaningless (1 Cor. 15:14). The resurrection is the point at which God’s intention for Jesus becomes clear (Rom. 1:4), and believers are assured that Jesus is the Christ.
REUBEN [ru´-ben] (behold a son) — the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 29:31–32; 35:23).
Commendation
Criticism
Instruction
Promise
Ephesus
Rejects evil, perseveres, has patience
Love for Christ no longer fervent
Do the works you did at first
The tree of life
Smyrna
Gracefully bears suffering
None
Be faithful until death
The crown of life
Porgamos
Keeps the faith of Christ
Tolerates immorality, idolatry, and heresies
Repent
Hidden manna and a stone with a new name
Thyatira
Love, service faith, patience is greater than at first
Tolerates cult of idolatry and immorality
Judgment coming; keep the faith
Rule over nations and receive morning star
Sardis
Some have kept the faith
A dead church
Repent; strengthen what remains
Faithful honored and clothed in white
Philadelphia
Perseveres in the faith
None
Keep the faith
A place in God’s presence, a new name, and the New Jerusalem
Laodicea
None
Indifferent
Be zealous and repent
Share Christ’s throne
St. Paul’s Harbor at Rhodes where Paul’s ship landed on its way back to Palestine after his third missionary journey (Acts 21:1).
REVELATION — God’s communication to people concerning Himself, His moral standards, and His plan of salvation (Rom. 1:1–3).
REVELATION OF JOHN — the last book of the Bible.
The whole theme of the Book of Revelation is that God will have the ultimate victory in the fight between Him and Satan. God and Satan are not equal. God is stronger than Satan. Satan only continues his plans to make trouble because God allows him to do so. At the final battle, Satan and his followers will be completely destroyed by fire from heaven (20:7–10).
REVERENCE — a strong feeling of awe and respect. God’s majesty and holiness cause a feeling of reverence in those who worship and serve Him (Heb. 12:28–29, NKJV).
REVILE — to insult; despise (John 9:28, NKJV).
REVIVE — to bring back to life (Neh. 4:2, NKJV; Rom. 14:9, NKJV).
REVOLT — to rebel against (2 Kings 8:20, NKJV).
REWARD — something offered in return for a service. In the Bible, a reward can refer to something given for either a good or bad act. The psalmist writes about “a reward for the righteous” (Ps. 58:11) as well as “the reward of the wicked” (Ps. 91:8, NKJV). When the Son of Man returns in glory, “He will reward each according to his works” (Matt. 16:27).
REZIN [re´-zin] — the last king of Syria who was killed by Tiglath–Pileser III, king of Assyria, in 732 B.C.
A man who started the family of Nethinim, or temple servants was also named Rezin. His descendants returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:48).
RHODA [ro´-dah] (rose) — a servant girl in the home of Mary (John Mark’s mother) (Acts 12:13). When the apostle Peter was released from prison, he went to Mary’s house. Rhoda answered the door and was so surprised and excited, that instead of letting him in, she ran to tell the others in the house. Peter had to keep knocking on the door until someone finally let him in (Acts 12:16).
RHODES [rodes] (a rose) — a city on a large island in the Aegean Sea visited by the apostle Paul (Acts 21:1). The city of Rhodes was an important commercial (business), cultural (art), and tourist center for the Greeks as well as the Romans.
RIGHTEOUS — right with God (Mal. 3:18, NKJV).
RIGHTEOUSNESS — holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard. The word “righteousness” comes from a root word that means “straightness.” It refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard. Righteousness is a moral concept. God’s character is the definition and source of all righteousness (Gen. 18:25, NKJV; Deut. 32:4, NKJV). Therefore, the righteousness of human beings is defined in terms of God’s.
RIMMONO [rim´-mon-o] (pomegranate) — the name of two towns (Josh. 19:7; Josh. 19:13; 1 Chron. 6:77), a large rock (Judg. 20:45, 47), a man (2 Sam. 4:1–12).
RIZPAH [riz´-pah] — a daughter of Aiah who became a concubine of King Saul (2 Sam. 3:7; 21:8, 10–11). She had two sons named Armoni and Mephibosheth.
Ruins of the Forum in the city of Rome. The Forum was the meetingplace, marketplace, and religious and political center of the Roman Empire’s capital city.
ROBE — a cloak (John 19:2).
ROD — a staff, pole, or stick with many uses (Exod. 4:2, NKJV; Exod. 21:20, NKJV; 1 Sam. 14:27, NKJV).
ROE, ROEBUCK — a small deer (Deut. 12:15, KJV).
ROMANS, EPISTLE TO THE — the most formal of Paul’s letters. The main theme of Romans is that righteousness comes as a free gift from God and is received by faith alone.
ROME, CITY OF — the capital city of the ancient Roman Empire. Rome is also the capital of modern Italy.
ROOT — the part of a plant that provides stability and nourishment (food) for the plant. Most of the references to roots in the Bible are symbolic. As a metaphor, to be rooted means to be established; to be uprooted means to be displaced.
RUDDY — a healthy, reddish color. In two places in the Bible the word refers to the rosy complexion of vigorous health (Song of Sol. 5:10, NKJV; Lam. 4:7, NKJV). As a boy, David was also described as ruddy (1 Sam. 16:12, NKJV; 17:42, NKJV). Some scholars believe this meant that David had red hair.
RUSH — a plant (Isa. 9:14, KJV). (See Bulrush.)
RUTH [rooth] (friendship) — the mother of Obed and great-grandmother of David. Ruth was from the country of Moab. She married Mahlon, a son of Elimelech and Naomi. Elimelech, his wife, and sons had migrated to Moab to escape a famine in the land of Israel. When Elimelech and both of his sons died, they left three widows: Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah (Ruth’s sister-in-law). When Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem, Ruth chose to go with her.
RUTH, BOOK OF — a short Old Testament book about Ruth of Moab. She was a devoted Gentile woman who became an ancestor of King David.
Ruth’s life is a beautiful example of the providence of God. The name Ruth means “friendship,” and this book gives one of the most touching examples of friendship in the Bible.
Ruth’s words to her mother-in-law are quoted often as a pledge of love and devotion. “Don’t ask me to leave you! Don’t beg me not to follow you! Every place you go, I will go. Every place you live, I will live.Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God” (1:16).