Boy Old Testament Rare
Reuel
the shepherd or friend of God
רְעוּאֵל re.u.el
Reuel (Hebrew: רְעוּאֵל, re.u.el) means “the shepherd or friend of God”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Exodus period. In 2025 it was given to 35 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Adah in Genesis 36.
Which Reuel?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Reuel
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Reuel
son of Esau
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Reuel
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Reuel
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 21 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Exodus
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 35 | Rising |
| All-time total | 958 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 35 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Ten-year trend | +388% | Change in share of births |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 36:4 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 9:8 |
| Cross-references | 318 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Timna attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Eliphaz attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jeush attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jalam attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Korah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jethro co-occurrence Appears with Jethro in Exodus 18.
- Hobab co-occurrence Appears with Hobab in Judges 4.
- Mizzah co-occurrence Appears with Mizzah in Genesis 36.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.8;
son of: Ibnijah (H2998);
father of: Shephatiah (H8203H)
§ Reuel or Raguel = "friend of God"
1) a son of Esau by his wife Bashemath, the sister of Ishmael
2) the father-in-law of Moses
2a) also 'Jethro'
3) father of Eliasaph, the leader of the tribe of Gad at the time of the census at Sinai
4) a Benjamite, ancestor of Elah
Reuel was a Benjamite mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin.
The biblical story
Reuel is briefly mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.9.8). He was the son of Ibnijah, who was a descendant of Benjamin, the youngest son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 9 lists some of the prominent families and individuals who lived in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It is possible that Reuel and his family were among those who returned to Jerusalem and settled there. However, no additional information is provided about Reuel's life or specific role within the tribe of Benjamin. His inclusion in the genealogy serves to document the family lines and descendants of Benjamin.
Key verses
Reuel appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
1 Chronicles 9:8
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 9:8