The Hebrew word Chammôwn, represented by H2540, is the proper name for two places in Palestine. Its name is derived from a root meaning "warm spring". It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses, identifying specific locations within the biblical geography of Israel.
The word H2540 is used exclusively as a proper name for two distinct towns. One Hammon is mentioned in a list of cities that includes Hebron H5683, Rehob H7340, and Kanah H7071, near great Zidon H6721 Joshua 19:28. The second location named Hammon was a Levitical city within the territory of the tribe H4294 of Naphtali H5321, given to the Levites along with its suburbs 1 Chronicles 6:76.
Several related words provide geographical and tribal context for the locations of Hammon:
- H5321 Naphtâlîy (my wrestling; Naphtali): One of the two towns named Hammon was located within the territory of this tribe descended from a son of Jacob 1 Chronicles 6:76.
- H1551 Gâlîyl (a circle; Galilee): The Hammon in Naphtali was located in this northern region of Palestine, a special circuit of land 1 Chronicles 6:76.
- H4294 maṭṭeh (a branch; a tribe): This word is used to identify the tribal division, such as the tribe of Naphtali, where one Hammon was situated 1 Chronicles 6:76.
- H6721 Tsîydôwn (fishery; Sidon, Zidon): This major city serves as a landmark to help locate one of the towns named Hammon Joshua 19:28.
The significance of H2540 is primarily geographical and administrative within the history of Israel.
- Defining Territory: The name Hammon is used in the critical process of delineating land. It is included in a list of cities recorded in the book of Joshua Joshua 19:28, and is also explicitly identified as a city within the tribe H4294 of Naphtali H5321 1 Chronicles 6:76.
- Levitical Provision: One of the two towns named Hammon was designated as a city for the Levites, given from the land of Naphtali H5321 1 Chronicles 6:76. This highlights its role in the system established to support the priestly tribe.
- Northern Boundary Marker: Both locations are situated in the northern region of Palestine. One is placed near the prominent coastal city of Zidon H6721 Joshua 19:28, while the other is explicitly located in Galilee H1551 1 Chronicles 6:76, marking it as part of Israel's northern territory.
In summary, Chammôwn H2540 is not a common noun but the specific name of two towns in ancient Palestine. While its base meaning suggests "warm spring," its biblical role is purely geographical. Its two appearances are significant for mapping Israel's cities and tribal lands, with one town being located within Naphtali H5321 and designated as a Levitical city (Joshua 19:28; 1 Chronicles 6:76). The name serves as a precise marker in the administrative and religious geography of ancient Israel.
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