("man of favor")
The last king of Aram-Damascus (c. 750-732 B.C.), (II Kgs 15:37; 16:5; Is 7:1ff), whose name appears as Rasunnu/Rahianu in the tribute list of Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria (734 B.C.). The eradication of the Jehu dynasty and the ensuing civil war which weakened Israel gave Rezin his chance to break away from Israel and become independent. Aram-Damascus regained its vitality and its position as a political center. Then, seizing the opportunity of Tiglath-Pileser's preoccupation in Urartu, Rezin joined Pekah of Israel in an anti-Assyrian coalition. When King Ahaz of Judah refused to join the alliance, Pekah and Rezin advanced against him, precipitating the Syro-Ephraimite War (II Kgs 16:5). Apparently they attempted to remove Ahaz and replace him by an anti-Assyrian king (Is 7:1-6). His throne threatened, Ahaz dispatched an embassy with heavy tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III to induce him to attack Aram and Israel. The Assyrians responded in a campaign in which Damascus was captured (732 B.C.). Rezin was executed, large numbers of his subjects deported (II Kgs 16:9), and his entire territory incorporated into the Assyrian empire.
Concordance
II Kgs 15:37; 16:5-6, 9. Ezra 2:48. Neh 7:50. Is 7:1, 4,8; 8:6; 9:11
