Ῥοβοάμ

Rhoboám

G4497 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Rhoboam; a personal name referring to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and grandson of David, noted as a king in the biblical tradition. Used as a proper noun to designate this figure, especially in genealogical or historical contexts. The name does not function as a common noun or have broader semantic application beyond referencing the individual.

Semantic Range

Rehoboam (personal name), king of the southern kingdom of Israel (Judah), descendant of David, son of Solomon

Root / Etymology

Greek transcription of the Hebrew רְחַבְעָם (Rechab‘am), meaning 'the people enlarges' or possibly 'he enlarges the people.' The name appears in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) as Ῥοβοάμ, directly representing the Hebrew original. Etymology uncertain beyond the Hebrew derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ῥοβοάμ occurs as a transliteration of the Hebrew name for Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and the first king of the southern kingdom after the united monarchy divided. The Greek spelling is consistently used in the Septuagint to represent this figure, and it appears in the genealogies and historical references of the New Testament (notably in Matthew 1:7, 1:7–8). The name’s function is solely onomastic – it serves to designate the specific descendant of David and never appears as a common noun or with alternate meanings. English translations traditionally use 'Rehoboam.' The Greek retains no additional nuance or expanded usage, and the scope cannot be broadened beyond simple personal identification. There is no evidence for functional or semantic development in Hellenistic Greek or Koine outside of its Biblical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (רְחַבְעָם); Roboam (i.e. Rechobam), an Israelite:--Roboam.

Root Family

Ῥοβοάμ (Rhoboam) — proper name, Rehoboam (son of Solomon), king of Judah

Root Ῥοβοαμ- [proper name], Rehoboam (individual, son of Solomon)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4497-01 Ῥοβοάμ roboam N ACC M SG Rehoboam Rehoboam Rhoboam 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4497-01 Matthew 1:7 Ῥοβοάμ roboam N ACC M SG Rehoboam Rehoboam Rhoboam
G4497-01 Matthew 1:7 Ῥοβοὰμ roboam-2 N NOM M SG Rehoboam Rehoboam Rhoboam