Rosh רֹאשׁ
Son of Benjamin, grandson of Jacob
Biography
Rosh (or Rapha) is mentioned in Gen.46.21 and 1Ch.8.2 as one of the sons of Benjamin, the youngest son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Rachel. He is listed among the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt during the time of Joseph (Gen.46.21). In the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8, Rosh (or Rapha) is mentioned again as a son of Benjamin (1Ch.8.2). The name "Rosh" means "head" or "chief," while "Rapha" means "giant" or "mighty one." It is possible that these two names refer to the same individual, with "Rapha" being an alternate name or title. No further information is provided about Rosh (or Rapha) or his role within the tribe of Benjamin. His inclusion in the genealogies serves to document the family lines and descendants of Benjamin, whose tribe played a significant role in Israel's history, particularly during the reign of King Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Bela Tribe of ReubenSon of AzazA Reubenite, son of Azaz.View full profile →
- Becher Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, listed among those who entered Egypt.View full profile →
- Ashbel Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, founder of the Ashbelite clanView full profile →
- Gera Tribe of BenjaminSon of BelaSon of Bela, grandson of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Naaman Tribe of BenjaminSon of EhudA descendant of Benjamin, son of Ehud.View full profile →
- Muppim Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminA son of Benjamin.View full profile →
- Huppim Tribe of Benjamin(?)Son of IrA descendant of Manasseh.View full profile →
- Ard Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, brother of BelaView full profile →
- Ahiram Tribe of BenjaminSon of BenjaminSon of Benjamin, founder of the Ahiramite clanView full profile →
- Jediael Tribe of BenjaminBenjamin leaderSon of Benjamin, head of a clanView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 46:21
"The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 8:2
"Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רֹאשׁ | H7220 |
| Named | Hebrew | רָפָא | H7498H |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Rosh (2)
2">Eze 38:2,3 and 39:1, where the King James Version has "Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal." This translation is due to ro'sh being the common Hebrew word for "head" or "chief" (compare the Greek variant and the Vulgate), and is regarded as incorrect, that of the Revised Version (British and American), "Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal," being preferred.
2Identification with Russia
The identification of Rosh is not without its difficulties. Gesenius regarded it as indicating the Russians, who are mentioned in Byzantine writers of the 10th century under the name of Rhos. He adds that they are also noticed by Ibn Fosslan (same period), under the name of Rus, as a people dwelling on the river Rha (Volga). Apart from the improbability that the dominion of Gog extended to this district, it would be needful to know at what date the Rus of the Volga arrived there.
3Probably the Assyrian Rasu
Notwithstanding objections on account of its eastern position, in all probability Fried. Delitzsch's identification of Rosh with the mat Rasi, "land of Rash" of the Assyrian inscriptions, is the best. Sargon of Assyria (circa 710 BC) conquered the countries "from the land of Rasu on the border of Elam as far as the river of Egypt," and this country is further described in his Khorsabad Inscription, 18, as "the land of Rasu, of the boundary of Elam, which is beside the Tigris." Assyria having disappeared from among the nations when Ezekiel wrote his prophecies, Babylonia was probably the only power with which "Gog of the land of Magog" would have had to reckon, but it may well be doubted whether the Babylonian king would have allowed him to exercise power in the district of Rasu, except as a very faithful vassal. It may here be noted that the Hebrew spelling of Rosh presupposes an earlier pronunciation as Rash, a form agreeing closely with that used by the Assyrians. See Fried. Delitzsch, Wo lag das Paradies? 325.
T. G. Pinches
rot, rot'-'-n-nes (verb raqebh, noun raqabh (riqqabhon, Job 41:27), with maq, "decay" (Isa 5:24), and `abhash, "shrivel" (so <ref osisRe