Rezeph is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the Assyrian campaigns during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The name "Rezeph" appears in the Bible in 2 Kings 19:12 and Isaiah 37:12, where it is listed among the cities conquered by the Assyrian Empire.

Biblical References:

· 2 Kings 19:12 : "Did the gods of the nations my fathers destroyed rescue them—the gods of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?"
· Isaiah 37:12 : "Did the gods of the nations my fathers destroyed rescue them—the gods of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?"

In these passages, Rezeph is mentioned as part of a rhetorical question posed by the Assyrian king Sennacherib's envoys to King Hezekiah. The envoys are attempting to undermine Hezekiah's trust in the LORD by listing cities and regions that had fallen to Assyria, implying that just as the gods of these places could not save them, neither would the God of Israel save Jerusalem.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Rezeph is identified with a location in the region of Mesopotamia, which was under Assyrian control during the 8th century BC. It is believed to have been situated in what is now modern-day Syria, possibly near the Euphrates River. The city was part of a network of fortified settlements that the Assyrians used to maintain control over their vast empire.

The mention of Rezeph alongside other cities like Gozan and Haran suggests its significance as a notable location within the Assyrian administrative and military structure. The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and extensive conquests, often relocated populations and established garrisons in conquered cities to ensure loyalty and control.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Rezeph in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the futility of relying on false gods and the power of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrian envoys' message was intended to instill fear and doubt in the hearts of the people of Judah. However, the biblical account ultimately demonstrates the sovereignty and faithfulness of the God of Israel, who delivers Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat despite the overwhelming odds.

The reference to Rezeph and other conquered cities underscores the biblical theme of God's supremacy over all nations and deities. It serves as a reminder to the faithful that trust in the LORD is paramount, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.Rezeph

pavement; burning coal

Rezeph

(a hot stone), one of the places which Sennacherib mentions, in his taunting message to Hezekiah, as having been destroyed by his predecessor. (2 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 37:12)

Rezeph

A city conquered by the Assyrians, 2 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 37:12. It is thought to have been afterwards called Rasapha, and to have stood some twenty-five miles west of the Euphrates towards Palmyra.

Solid; a stone, (2 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 37:12), a fortress near Haran, probably on the west of the Euphrates, conquered by Sennacherib. REZEPH

re'-zef (retseph;

1. Forms of the Name:

Codex Vaticanus Rhapheis; Rhaphes; Codex Alexandrinus ten Rhapheth (2 Kings 19:12), B Q margin Rhapheth Codex Sinaiticus Q Rhafes; Codex Alexandrinus Rhapheis (Isaiah 37:12); Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) Roseph (2 Kings 19:12), Reseph (Isaiah 37:12)): One of the places referred to by Sennacherib's Rabshakeh when delivering that king's message to Hezekigh demanding the surrender of Jerusalem. The names which precede are Gozan and Haran; and "the children of Eden that were Telassar" follows.

2. Now Called Rucafa:

It is now represented by Rucafa, East of Tipsah and Northeast of Hamath, and is regarded as the (Rhesapha) of Ptolemy (v.15). It was for some time under Assyrian dominion, and appears in a geographical list (2 R 53, 37a) preceded by Arrapba (Arrapachitis) and Halabbu (Halah), and followed by Tamnunu, uder the form of Rasappa (elsewhere Racapi).

3. Its Assyrian Governors:

From the Eponym Canons, Ninip-kibsi-ucur was, it appears, prefect in 839 B.C., Uras-eres from 804 to 775 B.C., Sin-sallimanni in 747, and Bel-emuranni in 737 B.C. Judging from their names, all these were Assyrians, but a seemingly native governor, Abda'u (or Abda'i), possibly later than the foregoina, is mentioned in a list of officials (K. 9921). Yabutu was sanu (deputy-governor?) of Rezeph in 673 B.C. Its mention in the Assyrian geographical lists implies that Rezeph was an important trade-center in Old Testament times.

T. G. Pinches

7530. Retseph -- a place destroyed by Assyr.
... Retseph. 7531 . a place destroyed by Assyr. Transliteration: Retseph Phonetic
Spelling: (reh'-tsef) Short Definition: Rezeph. ... NASB Word Usage Rezeph (2). Rezeph ...
/hebrew/7530.htm - 6k

Deliverance from Assyria
... Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as
Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar? ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Rezeph (2 Occurrences)
... Sennacherib. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REZEPH. re ... Testament times. TG
Pinches. Multi-Version Concordance Rezeph (2 Occurrences). ...
/r/rezeph.htm - 9k

Telassar (2 Occurrences)
... 2. Suggestions as to the Geographical Position: As Telassar was inhabited by the
"children of Eden," and is mentioned with Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, in Western ...
/t/telassar.htm - 9k

Gozan (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have
destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/g/gozan.htm - 10k

Children
... edhen): In 2 Kings 19:12 Isaiah 37:12 "the children of Eden that were in Telassar"
are mentioned in connection with "Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph" as having ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Thelassar (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations which my fathers have destroyed delivered
them: Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/t/thelassar.htm - 7k

Tel-assar (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have
destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/t/tel-assar.htm - 6k

Tel (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have
destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/t/tel.htm - 8k

Eden (19 Occurrences)
... edhen): In 2 Kings 19:12 Isaiah 37:12 "the children of Eden that were in Telassar"
are mentioned in connection with "Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph" as having ...
/e/eden.htm - 28k

Assar (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have
destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/a/assar.htm - 7k

Haran (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have
destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in ...
/h/haran.htm - 17k

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