"And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Rehoboam Meaning in the Bible
Rehoboam
boy
Rehoboam means "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Rehoboam appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Kings 12:14 is the passage most often tied to it. Rehoboam — 'he enlarges the people' — actually divided them. His story teaches that leadership is not inherited but earned through wisdom, empathy, and the courage to listen to hard truths.
Is Rehoboam in the Bible?
Yes — Rehoboam appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/reh-hoh-BO-um/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHe enlarges the people; A people has expanded
What does Rehoboam mean?
Rehoboam is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded". Rehoboam means "he enlarges the people" in Hebrew — a tragically ironic name for the king who divided Israel in two.
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What does Rehoboam mean in the Bible?
Rehoboam means "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Rehoboam means "he enlarges the people" in Hebrew — a tragically ironic name for the king who divided Israel in two. He was the son of Solomon and grandson of David, inheriting the most powerful and prosperous kingdom Israel had ever known.
When the people petitioned Rehoboam for lighter taxation, the young king rejected the counsel of Solomon's experienced advisors who urged compassion. Instead, he followed his young friends' advice and declared: "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
This catastrophic decision split the united monarchy. Ten tribes seceded under Jeroboam, leaving Rehoboam with only Judah and Benjamin. The kingdom that David built and Solomon adorned was fractured by the arrogance of a single speech — and never reunited.
Rehoboam's story is the Bible's premier cautionary tale about leadership. He demonstrates that inherited authority without earned wisdom leads to destruction, and that rejecting wise counsel for flattering advice is the surest path to ruin.
Where does Rehoboam appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Rehoboam is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Kings 12:14. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David?"
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Which books of the Bible mention Rehoboam?
Rehoboam is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Rehoboam?
Rehoboam — 'he enlarges the people' — actually divided them. His story teaches that leadership is not inherited but earned through wisdom, empathy, and the courage to listen to hard truths.
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What names are related to Rehoboam?
Names like Rehoboam
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Abraham
"Father of many nations"
boy
Eli
"Ascended; My God; Most High"
boy
Josiah
"The Lord supports; Healed by God"
boy
Miriam
"Beloved; Bitter; Rebellious (Moses' sister)"
girl
Aaron
"Exalted; Mountain of strength"
boy
Abigail
"Father's joy; Source of joy"
girl
Aram
"Exalted; Highland"
boy
Dan
"Judge; He has judged; Vindicated"
boy
Names that pair well with Rehoboam
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Rehoboam
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Rehoboam name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Rehoboam appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Rehoboam means "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Rehoboam comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "He enlarges the people; A people has expanded." It appears in the King James Bible.
Common questions about the name Rehoboam
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Rehoboam?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Rehoboam?
You can read every verse where Rehoboam appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.