Reu is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Book of Genesis. He is a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah, and is part of the lineage that leads to Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites. Reu's significance primarily lies in his position within the genealogical records that trace the ancestry of the Hebrew people.

Genealogy and Biblical References

Reu is introduced in Genesis 11:18-21, which provides a brief account of his life and lineage. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the passage states:

"When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug. And after he became the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters."

Reu is the son of Peleg and the father of Serug. His place in the genealogy is significant as it connects the post-Flood generations to the patriarch Abraham. The genealogical records in Genesis 11 serve to bridge the gap between the early postdiluvian world and the emergence of the Israelite nation.

Historical and Theological Context

Reu lived during a period marked by the gradual dispersion of peoples and the development of distinct nations and languages, as described in the account of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). This era is characterized by the division of the earth's population into various tribes and cultures, a process that began during the days of Peleg, Reu's father.

Theologically, Reu's inclusion in the genealogical record underscores the continuity of God's covenantal promise to humanity. The genealogies in Genesis highlight the divine plan unfolding through specific individuals and families, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God's redemptive promise.

Cultural and Linguistic Considerations

The name "Reu" is of uncertain etymology, though it may be related to a root meaning "friend" or "shepherd." Names in biblical genealogies often carry significant meanings or reflect the character and destiny of the individuals. While the Bible does not provide specific details about Reu's life or character, his role as an ancestor of Abraham places him within the broader narrative of God's interaction with humanity.

Reu in Other Biblical References

Reu is also mentioned in the genealogical listings of 1 Chronicles 1:25, which reiterates his place in the lineage from Shem to Abraham. Additionally, he appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke 3:35, which traces Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises through the line of Shem.

Conclusion

Reu's presence in the biblical genealogies serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God's promises and the unfolding of His divine plan through successive generations. While the Bible provides limited information about Reu's life, his role as an ancestor of Abraham highlights the continuity of God's covenantal relationship with humanity, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.Reu

his friend; his shepherd

Reu

(friend), son of Peleg, in the line of Abraham's ancestors. (Genesis 11:18,19,20,21; 1 Chronicles 1:25) (B.C. about 2213.)

REU

re'-u, roo (re`u, Rhagau): A son of Peleg, a descendant of Shem (Genesis 11:18 1 Chronicles 1:25 Luke 3:35).

4466. Rhagau -- Reu, an ancestor of Christ
... Reu, an ancestor of Christ. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Rhagau Phonetic Spelling: (hrag-ow') Short Definition: Ragau, Reu ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4466.htm - 6k7466a. Reu -- son of Peleg
... 7466, 7466a. Reu. 7466b . son of Peleg. Transliteration: Reu Short Definition:
Reu. Word Origin from raah Definition son of Peleg NASB Word Usage Reu (5). ...
/hebrew/7466a.htm - 5k

7466b. reu -- good pleasure, will
... 7466a, 7466b. reu. 7467 . good pleasure, will. Transliteration: reu Short
Definition: decision. ... 7466a, 7466b. reu. 7467 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7466b.htm - 5k

7466. R'uw -- son of Peleg
R'uw. 7465, 7466. R'uw. 7466a . son of Peleg. Transliteration: R'uw Phonetic
Spelling: (reh-oo') Short Definition: Reu. Reu For r ...
/hebrew/7466.htm - 5k

7470. reuth -- pleasure, will
... 7469, 7470. reuth. 7471 . pleasure, will. Transliteration: reuth Phonetic Spelling:
(reh-ooth') Short Definition: pleasure. Word Origin see reu. pleasure, ...
/hebrew/7470.htm - 5k

Jewish Chronology.
... of this Abraham is Thare, [1062] and of this Thare the father is Nachor, and of
this Nachor the father is Serag, and of this Serag the father is Reu, and of ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvi jewish chronology.htm

Of the Genealogy of Shem, in Whose Line the City of God is ...
... Peleg himself lived 130 years, and begat Reu; and Reu lived 132 years, and begat
Serug; Serug 130, and begat Nahor; and Nahor 79, and begat Terah; and Terah 70 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the genealogy of.htm

Chapter xi
... 18, 19. And Peleg lived thirty years and begat Reu. And Peleg lived, after he begat
Reu, two hundred and nine years, and he begat sons and daughters. 20, 21. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the
son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Chronology from Adam.
... And his son Phaleg begat a son when 130. And his son Reu, when 132 And his son Serug,
when 130. And his son Nahor, when 75. And his son Terah, when 70. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxiv chronology from adam.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the
son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... Phalek is division, "for in his days the sons of Noah began to divide the earth."
Ragev (= Reu or Ragau) is so named "because the sons of men have become evil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... Heber 34 1758 2399 Genesis 11:16.15. Peleg 30 1788 2369 Genesis 11:18.16. Reu 32
1820 2337 Genesis 11:20.17. Serug 30 1850 2307 Genesis 11:22.18. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

Introduction
... within you, which is the only source of all truly good works and well-pleasing
to God. M. REU. WARTBURG SEMINARY, DUBUQUE, IOWA. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

Reu (6 Occurrences)
...REU. re'-u, roo (re`u, Rhagau): A son of Peleg, a descendant of Shem (Genesis
11:18 1 Chronicles 1:25 Luke 3:35). Multi-Version Concordance Reu (6 Occurrences). ...
/r/reu.htm - 8k

Reu'el (10 Occurrences)
Reu'el. Reuel, Reu'el. Reumah . Multi-Version Concordance
Reu'el (10 Occurrences). Genesis 36:4 And Adah bore to Esau ...
/r/reu'el.htm - 8k

Re'u (6 Occurrences)
Re'u. Reu, Re'u. Reuben . ... Re'u (6 Occurrences). Luke 3:35 the son of Serug,
the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, (See RSV). ...
/r/re'u.htm - 7k

Peleg (8 Occurrences)
... Peleg (8 Occurrences). Luke 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg,
the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, (WEB WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/peleg.htm - 10k

Begetteth (52 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 11:18 And Peleg liveth thirty years, and begetteth Reu. (YLT). ... (YLT).
Genesis 11:20 And Reu liveth two and thirty years, and begetteth Serug. (YLT ...
/b/begetteth.htm - 19k

Serug (6 Occurrences)
... SERUG. se'-rug (serugh; Serouch): Son of Reu and great-grandfather of Abraham (Genesis
11:20 1 Chronicles 1:26 Luke 3:35). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/serug.htm - 8k

Begot (119 Occurrences)
... (DBY JPS). Genesis 11:18 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. (DBY JPS). ...
(DBY JPS). Genesis 11:20 And Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug. ...
/b/begot.htm - 30k

Eber (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the
son of Shelah, (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/eber.htm - 12k

Begetting (20 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 11:19 And Peleg liveth after his begetting Reu two hundred
and nine years, and begetteth sons and daughters. (YLT). ...
/b/begetting.htm - 11k

Thirty (189 Occurrences)
... Genesis 11:18 Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu. ... Genesis
11:20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug. ...
/t/thirty.htm - 39k

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