Bible Person

Rehum

Meaning: merciful; compassionate · Male · 4 cross references

This Rehum entry refers to the Persian-period chancellor who opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem, not the returnee Rehum already separately overridden. He is part of the bureaucratic resistance to Jewish restoration. First appears in Ezra 4:8.1

AI summary: This Rehum matters because the cross references present him as one of the officials who weaponizes imperial administration against the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. His letters and coordination with others show that opposition to restoration can be procedural, political, and persistent rather than purely military. He is a key face of that resistance. Taken together, the material presents this Rehum as a Persian-period official whose opposition seeks to halt Jerusalem's renewal.1

Central Figure

Rehum

Meaning: merciful; compassionate

The “chancellor” of Artaxerxes, who sought to stir him up against the Jews (Ezra 4:8-24) and prevent the rebuilding of the walls and the temple of Jerusalem.