Persons of the Bible: Letter R
The names that begin with the letter R weave together a rich tapestry of faith, failure, courage, and redemption. We meet matriarchs like Rebekah, whose choices shaped the covenant line; Rahab, whose remarkable faith brought her into the lineage of Christ; and Ruth, whose loyalty and love became a picture of God’s redeeming grace. We encounter Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, whose life demonstrates both honor and loss, and figures like Rizpah, whose grief and devotion brought about justice in Israel. From genealogical names to kings, prophets, servants, and ordinary believers, the letter R helps us see how God works through every kind of person to guide His people toward the hope fulfilled in Jesus.
Raamah
Raamah was a descendant of Cush listed in the Table of Nations, associated with early trading peoples.
Scripture: Genesis 10:7; 1 Chronicles 1:9
Raamiah
Raamiah was one of the leaders who returned from exile with Zerubbabel.
Scripture: Nehemiah 7:7
Raddai
Raddai was one of David’s brothers listed among Jesse’s sons.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 2:14
Raguel
Raguel (or Reuel in some forms) appears in genealogical contexts and in the Apocrypha as a righteous relative connected to Tobias.
Scripture: Numbers 2:14; Tobit 3:7 (Apocrypha)
Rahab
Rahab was a woman of Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and expressed faith in the God of Israel. Her courageous trust led to her family’s deliverance during the fall of Jericho, and she later became part of Jesus’ genealogy—an enduring testimony to God’s mercy and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.
Scripture: Joshua 2; Joshua 6:22–25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25
Raham
Raham was a descendant of Caleb listed in the family genealogies of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 2:44
Rakeb
Rakeb was the father of Jether, mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:18
Ram
Ram appears in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah and in the lineage leading to David and Jesus. His presence signals the unfolding of God’s covenant promises through Abraham’s descendants, culminating in the Messiah.
Scripture: Ruth 4:19; 1 Chronicles 2:9–10; Matthew 1:3–4
Ramiah
Ramiah was one of the priests who returned from exile and put away foreign wives during Ezra’s reforms.
Scripture: Ezra 10:25
Raphah
Raphah was a descendant of Benjamin listed in post-exilic genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:37
Raphu
Raphu was the father of Palti, one of the spies who explored the land of Canaan.
Scripture: Numbers 13:9
Reaiah
Reaiah appears both as a descendant of Shobal among the Judahites and as an ancestor of some Nethinim who returned from exile.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:2; Ezra 2:47
Reba
Reba was one of the Midianite princes defeated by Israel during Moses’ leadership.
Scripture: Numbers 31:8
Rebekah (Rebeccah)
Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Chosen through God’s providential leading, her story shows His hand guiding covenant purposes through family relationships. Her role in the blessing of Jacob, though imperfect in method, highlights God’s sovereignty in accomplishing His promises.
Scripture: Genesis 24; Genesis 25:19–28; Genesis 27
Rebai
Rebai the Harchite was the father of Ittai, one of David’s mighty men.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:29
Rechab
Rechab appears as the name of a Kenite family leader whose descendants (the Rechabites) were commended for their steadfast obedience. Another Rechab, with his brother Baanah, murdered Ishbosheth—an act condemned by David.
Scripture: 2 Kings 10:15; 2 Samuel 4:2–12; Jeremiah 35
Reelaiah
Reelaiah was one of the leaders who returned from exile under Zerubbabel.
Scripture: Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7
Regem
Regem was a descendant of Caleb listed in Judah’s genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 2:47
Regem-melech
Regem-melech was among the men who came from Bethel to seek God’s guidance through the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period.
Scripture: Zechariah 7:2
Rehabiah
Rehabiah was a descendant of Moses through his son Gershom, recorded among the Levites.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 23:15–17
Rehoboam
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, became king after his father’s death. His harsh and prideful response to Israel’s request for lighter burdens led to the division of the kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south. Despite his failures, his reign reveals the consequences of ignoring godly counsel and reminds us of the need for humble dependence on God’s wisdom. This contrast ultimately points us to the perfect kingship of Jesus.
Scripture: 1 Kings 12–14; 2 Chronicles 10–12
Rei
Rei was one of David’s loyal supporters during Adonijah’s attempted usurpation of the throne.
Scripture: 1 Kings 1:8
Rekem
Rekem appears both as a leader in Midian and as a descendant in various tribal lists.
Scripture: Numbers 31:8; 1 Chronicles 2:43–44
Remaliah
Remaliah was the father of Pekah, king of Israel. Pekah is frequently referred to as “the son of Remaliah,” highlighted in prophetic judgments.
Scripture: 2 Kings 15:25; Isaiah 7:4–9
Remeth
A name found in genealogical contexts among the tribes.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 6:73
Renan
Renan appears in the genealogies of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:20
Rephael
Rephael was one of the descendants listed among the sons of Shemaiah within the Levite genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 26:7
Rephah
Rephah was a descendant of Benjamin recorded in tribal genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:8
Rephaim
Refers to an ancient people or group sometimes connected with mighty warriors
Scripture: Genesis 14:5 (contextual)
Resheph
Resheph appears in tribal genealogies and is also referenced poetically as a symbolic figure associated with burning or plague imagery.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:25; Job 5:7 (symbolic)
Reuel
Reuel is a name shared by several individuals, including Moses’ father-in-law (also called Jethro), who welcomed Moses and affirmed God’s deliverance. Another Reuel appears in Edomite genealogies.
Scripture: Exodus 2:18; Numbers 10:29; Genesis 36:4
Reu
Reu was a descendant of Shem in the genealogies leading from Noah to Abraham.
Scripture: Genesis 11:18–21; 1 Chronicles 1:25
Reuben
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of the tribe of Reuben. Though positioned for leadership, he forfeited his birthright through sin. Yet his tribe remained part of Israel’s story, showing that God continues His covenant purposes despite human failure. Reuben’s life highlights both the weight of responsibility and the mercy of God that sustains the people through whom Christ would eventually come.
Scripture: Genesis 29:32; Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3–4; Numbers 32
Reumah
Reumah was the concubine of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, and is named in his family lineage.
Scripture: Genesis 22:24
Rezin
Rezin was the king of Syria during the time of Ahaz and joined Pekah in attacking Judah. Isaiah prophesied his downfall as part of God’s judgment on rebellious nations.
Scripture: 2 Kings 15:37; Isaiah 7:1–8; 2 Kings 16:9
Rezon
Rezon son of Eliada became an adversary to Solomon and established himself as ruler in Damascus.
Scripture: 1 Kings 11:23–25
Rhesa
Rhesa appears in the genealogy of Jesus recorded by Luke.
Scripture: Luke 3:27
Rhoda
Rhoda was a servant girl in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. When Peter was miraculously freed from prison, Rhoda joyfully recognized his voice at the gate—a moment that captures both faith and the human tendency to doubt good news.
Scripture: Acts 12:12–16
Ribai
Ribai of Gibeah was the father of Ittai, one of David’s mighty men.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:29
Rinnah
Rinnah was one of the sons of Shimon listed in Judah’s genealogies.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:20
Riphath
Riphath was a son of Gomer in the Table of Nations, linked to early peoples.
Scripture: Genesis 10:3; 1 Chronicles 1:6
Rizpah
Rizpah was a concubine of Saul whose courageous vigil over the bodies of her executed sons moved David to act with justice and honor. Her grief and steadfast devotion demonstrate a mother’s love and highlight the need for righteousness and compassion in leadership—echoes of virtues fulfilled perfectly in Christ.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:7; 2 Samuel 21:8–14
Rogelim
Primarily a location; included here when used in personal-identification contexts.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:27 (contextual)
Romamti-ezer
Romamti-ezer was one of the Levitical musicians appointed by David for temple worship, contributing to the praise ministry that exalted God in Israel.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 25:4
Roman
A designation indicating association with Rome; included where used as a personal identifier.
Scripture: Acts 16:21 (contextual)
Rufus
Rufus was a disciple greeted by Paul in Romans and possibly the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. Paul refers to Rufus as “chosen in the Lord,” and his mother as a spiritual mother to him—showing a family deeply shaped by Christ’s ministry. Rufus represents believers whose quiet faithfulness impacts others in lasting and personal ways.
Scripture: Romans 16:13; Mark 15:21 (possible connection)
Rumah
Rumah is mentioned as the home of Pedaiah, father of Jehoiakim’s wife Zebidah, linking it indirectly to the royal line of Judah.
Scripture: 2 Kings 23:36
Ruth
Ruth was a Moabite woman whose loyalty to Naomi and faith in Israel’s God brought her into the covenant promises. Through her marriage to Boaz, she became the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus. Her story is one of steadfast love, redemption, and God’s gracious inclusion of the outsider—a beautiful foreshadowing of the salvation Christ offers to all nations.
Scripture: Ruth 1–4; Matthew 1:5
As we finish the letter R, we are reminded that every story—great or small—finds its meaning inside God’s larger story of redemption. The courage of Rahab, the faithfulness of Ruth, the sorrows of Rizpah, and the struggles of Reuben all point us to the steadfast love of God and His desire to draw people from every family and nation to Himself.
As we turn the page to the letter S, we will meet many more individuals whose lives invite us to see God’s faithfulness, His justice, and His grace at work from generation to generation.
