REBA (rē'ba, Heb. reva‘). One of the five chieftains of Midian killed by Israel at the command of Moses (Num.31.8; Josh.13.21).


REBA re bə (רֶ֔בַע; LXX ̔Ροβε, Josh 13:21, ̔Ροβοκ, Num 31:8, meaning uncertain).

One of five Midianite kings killed by the Israelites in a battle on the plains of Moab. According to Numbers 31, Moses was commanded by God to exact vengeance on the Midianites because the Midianites had enticed them with their gods. In Joshua 13 Reba is named as one of five kings of Midian who were prob. vassals of Sihon, the Amorite king. Apparently Sihon had taken possession of the area of Moab and made the Midianite tribes residing in Moab subject to him.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

One of the five chieftains of Midian who were slain by the Israelites, under Moses (Nu 31:8; Jos 13:21). Like his comrades, he is termed a "king" in Numbers, but a "chief" or "prince" in Joshua.