feminine of דִּימוֹן; Dimonah, a place in Palestine; Dimonah.
Transliteration:Dîymôwnâh
Pronunciation:dee-mo-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma דִּימוֹנָה (Dîymôwnâh), Strong's number `{{H1776}}`, designates a specific geographical location in ancient Palestine. As a proper noun, its primary meaning is its identification as a unique place. The base definition indicates it is the "feminine of דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn)," which is `{{H1775}}`. While the root דמם (damam, `{{H1826}}`) often conveys concepts of "silence," "stillness," or "desolation," the application of such semantic range to a proper noun like Dîymôwnâh is primarily etymological speculation rather than a functional aspect of its meaning in context. Its semantic range is therefore limited to its role as a geographical marker.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Dîymôwnâh (דִּימוֹנָה) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 15:22]]: "And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,"
This occurrence is found within the detailed enumeration of cities allotted to the tribe of Judah. Specifically, Dîymôwnâh is listed among the cities situated in the Negeb, the southern district of Judah's inheritance. The meticulous nature of this list in [[Joshua 15]] underscores the precise fulfillment of God's promises regarding the land. Dîymôwnâh's inclusion, alongside other lesser-known settlements, highlights the comprehensive scope of the tribal boundaries and the extent of the land granted to Judah. Its geographical placement within this list serves to define and demarcate the divinely apportioned territory. It is distinct from Dimon (דִּימוֹן, `{{H1775}}`) mentioned in [[Isaiah 15:9]], which refers to a place in Moab.
### Related Words & Concepts
Dîymôwnâh (`{{H1776}}`) is explicitly linked by its definition to דִּימוֹן (Dîymôwn, `{{H1775}}`). Both are proper nouns, likely derived from the root דמם (damam, `{{H1826}}`), which means "to be silent," "to be still," or "to be cut off/perish." While this etymological connection might suggest a "place of silence" or "place of desolation," particularly fitting for a location in the arid Negeb, it is important to distinguish Dîymôwnâh of Judah from the Moabite Dimon.
Other related concepts include the broader theme of land allotment in the book of Joshua, where the precise naming of cities and boundaries (e.g., [[Joshua 15:21-32]]) serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. Dîymôwnâh is thus related to the entire catalog of cities that define the tribal inheritances, such as Kinah and Adadah, which appear alongside it.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Dîymôwnâh, despite its singular mention and status as a minor place name, is profound within the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness. Its inclusion in the meticulous list of cities in [[Joshua 15]] serves several theological purposes:
1. **Fulfillment of Covenant Promises:** The detailed enumeration of cities, including Dîymôwnâh, provides tangible evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18-21]]).
2. **Divine Order and Sovereignty:** The precise allocation of territory to each tribe, down to individual cities, demonstrates God's meticulous order and sovereign control over history and geography. Every piece of the land, even seemingly obscure locations like Dîymôwnâh, was part of His divine plan.
3. **Inheritance and Possession:** The list emphasizes the reality of Israel's inheritance and their possession of the land. Dîymôwnâh represents a concrete part of Judah's heritage, a gift from God.
4. **Theological Geography:** The very act of naming and listing places transforms mere geography into theological space, where God's promises are realized and His people dwell according to His will. Even a place potentially named for "silence" or "desolation" is brought into the sphere of divine provision and blessing.
### Summary
Dîymôwnâh (דִּימוֹנָה, `{{H1776}}`) is a unique proper noun, a place name appearing only once in the biblical text, specifically in [[Joshua 15:22]]. It is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the southern Negeb. While its etymological root may suggest meanings related to "silence" or "desolation," its primary function in the biblical narrative is to serve as a precise geographical marker within the divine distribution of the Promised Land. The theological significance of Dîymôwnâh lies not in any inherent characteristic of the place itself, but in its contribution to the meticulous record of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, demonstrating His divine order and sovereignty in granting the land as an inheritance.
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