or (by permutation) דֹּאר; (Joshua 17:11; 1 Kings 4:11), from דּוֹר; dwelling; Dor, a place in Palestine; Dor.
Transliteration:Dôwr
Pronunciation:dore
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H1756}}` (דּוֹר, Dôwr) primarily functions as a proper noun, designating the ancient city of Dor. Located on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine, it was a strategically important port city. The base definition explicitly links its etymology to a root meaning "dwelling" (from `{{H1755}}`, דּוֹר), suggesting that the city's name may have signified a place of permanent habitation, a long-established settlement, or perhaps even a place passed down through generations. While `{{H1756}}` itself exclusively refers to this specific geographical location, its semantic depth is enriched by its etymological connection to concepts of permanence, habitation, and the passage of time, differentiating it from other place names.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H1756}}` appears in several key biblical passages, primarily within historical and geographical contexts:
* [[Joshua 17:11]]: Dor is listed as one of the towns within the territory allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Significantly, the verse notes that the Manassites "could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities," indicating Dor's strength as a Canaanite stronghold. This failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants aligns with broader themes of incomplete conquest in the book of Joshua.
* [[Judges 1:27]]: This verse reiterates the Manassites' failure to conquer Dor and its dependent villages, along with other strongholds. It underscores a pattern of partial obedience and strategic oversight that would have long-term consequences for Israel.
* [[1 Kings 4:11]]: Dor is identified as a district under the charge of one of Solomon's twelve district governors, Ben-Abinadab. This highlights its administrative importance during the United Monarchy, demonstrating its integration into the Israelite kingdom and its economic value as a coastal region. The mention of Ben-Abinadab marrying Solomon's daughter Taphath further emphasizes its significance within the royal administration.
* [[1 Chronicles 7:29]]: This genealogical and geographical passage lists Dor as one of the cities belonging to the half-tribe of Manasseh, reinforcing its territorial association.
Contextually, Dor emerges as a significant coastal city, initially a formidable Canaanite enclave that resisted full Israelite conquest, but later became an integral part of the Israelite kingdom, particularly during the Solomonic era.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to `{{H1756}}` is:
* `{{H1755}}` (דּוֹר, dôr): This is the direct etymological root, meaning "generation," "age," "period," or "dwelling." The connection between the city's name and the concept of "dwelling" or "generations" is foundational to understanding its potential deeper meaning.
Other conceptually related words and ideas include:
* `{{H3427}}` (יָשַׁב, yashab): "to sit, dwell, remain." This verb reinforces the idea of settled habitation, which is inherent in the etymology of Dor.
* `{{H6340}}` (פַּלֶּשֶׁת, Peleshet): "Philistia." While not directly in Philistine territory, Dor's coastal location placed it in a region often contested by Sea Peoples and other maritime powers, highlighting its strategic value.
* `{{H3667}}` (כְּנַעַן, Kena'an): "Canaan." Dor was a Canaanite city, representing the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land.
* Concepts such as "unconquered territories," "tribal allotments," "coastal trade," and "administrative districts" are all relevant to the biblical portrayal of Dor.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H1756}}` refers to a geographical location, its presence in the biblical narrative carries significant theological weight.
* **Incomplete Conquest and Obedience:** The repeated mention of Manasseh's failure to dispossess the inhabitants of Dor in [[Joshua 17:11]] and [[Judges 1:27]] serves as a tangible illustration of Israel's partial obedience to God's command to drive out the Canaanites. This failure was not merely a military setback but a spiritual one, leading to ongoing challenges for Israel's faithfulness and security. Dor stands as a reminder that incomplete obedience can have lasting consequences.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Kingdom Expansion:** Despite initial failures, Dor's eventual incorporation into Solomon's administrative structure ([[1 Kings 4:11]]) demonstrates God's faithfulness in establishing and expanding the Israelite kingdom. It illustrates the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant regarding the land, even as it highlights the human element of struggle and gradual realization. The fact that a significant Canaanite stronghold eventually fell under Israelite dominion underscores God's overarching plan for His people to inherit the land.
* **The Land as Dwelling:** The etymological link of Dor to `{{H1755}}` ("dwelling" or "generation") subtly reinforces the theological concept of the Promised Land as a divine gift for Israel's permanent habitation. While the Canaanites had "dwelled" there for generations, God's ultimate intention was for Israel to find their secure and lasting dwelling in the land He had promised.
### Summary
`{{H1756}}` (דּוֹר, Dôwr) designates the ancient coastal city of Dor, a vital strategic location in biblical Palestine. Its name is etymologically rooted in `{{H1755}}`, conveying the sense of "dwelling" or "generation." Biblically, Dor is prominently featured as a Canaanite stronghold that the tribe of Manasseh failed to fully conquer in the initial conquest ([[Joshua 17:11]], [[Judges 1:27]]). Later, it became an important administrative district within the unified kingdom under Solomon ([[1 Kings 4:11]]). Theologically, Dor serves as a poignant example of Israel's incomplete obedience in the conquest of the Promised Land. Simultaneously, its eventual integration into the Israelite kingdom underscores God's sovereign plan for His people to inhabit and rule the land He promised, reflecting themes of divine faithfulness amidst human shortcomings.
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