from חֲמָת and רַבָּה; Chamath of Rabbah; probably the same as חֲמָת.; Chamath-Rabbah;
Transliteration:Chămath Rabbâh
Pronunciation:kham-ath' rab-baw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2579}}` (Chămath Rabbâh) is a compound geographical designation, transliterated as "Hamath-Rabbah" or "Hamath the Great." It is formed from two distinct Hebrew words: `{{H2574}}` (Hamath), which refers to the ancient city of Hamath on the Orontes River, a significant city-state in Syria, and `{{H7237}}` (Rabbâh), meaning "great," "much," or "numerous." Thus, the literal meaning is "Hamath of Rabbah" or more appropriately, "Hamath the Great." The addition of `{{H7237}}` serves to emphasize the prominence, size, or strategic importance of Hamath, distinguishing it perhaps from other, lesser settlements that might have shared the name "Hamath," or simply highlighting its status as a major regional power. The Strong's definition suggests it is "probably the same as `{{H2574}}`," indicating that `{{H2579}}` is likely a specific, emphatic reference to the well-known major city of Hamath.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2579}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Amos:
* [[Amos 6:2]]: "Pass over to Calneh and see, and from there go to Hamath the Great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory?"
In this passage, the prophet Amos addresses the complacent and self-assured elite of Israel, who felt secure in their prosperity and believed themselves immune to divine judgment. Amos challenges their false sense of security by inviting them to compare their situation with that of other prominent cities: Calneh, Hamath the Great, and Gath. These cities were significant regional powers, likely well-known to Amos's audience, and some may have already experienced decline or judgment (e.g., Gath, which was often contested and eventually subjugated). The inclusion of "Hamath the Great" underscores its status as a formidable and renowned city. Amos's rhetorical question implies that if these powerful cities could face calamity, Israel, despite its perceived strength, was certainly not exempt from God's impending judgment due to its injustice and spiritual apathy. The "greatness" of Hamath serves to heighten the warning: even the most impressive human strongholds are subject to divine will.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H2574}}` (Hamath), the ancient city itself, which is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a key geographical marker, often denoting the northern border of Israel's ideal territory (e.g., [[Numbers 34:8]], [[Joshua 13:5]], [[1 Kings 8:65]]). It was a significant Aramean kingdom that interacted with Israel and Judah. The second component, `{{H7237}}` (Rabbâh), meaning "great," is an adjective used broadly in the Hebrew Bible to describe magnitude, whether of number, size, or importance (e.g., "great multitude," "great city"). It is also the name of the capital city of the Ammonites, Rabbah (`{{H7236}}`), also known as Rabbath-Ammon. In `{{H2579}}`, `{{H7237}}` functions as an epithet for Hamath, emphasizing its stature. The rhetorical use of famous cities like Calneh, Gath, and Hamath in prophetic literature is a common device to illustrate divine sovereignty over all nations and to warn against human pride and complacency.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H2579}}` itself is a geographical name, its theological significance is deeply embedded in its sole biblical context within the book of Amos. "Hamath the Great" functions as a powerful rhetorical tool in Amos's indictment of Israel's spiritual decay and social injustice.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over All Nations:** The inclusion of Hamath, a powerful gentile city, alongside others, demonstrates God's universal dominion. No city, however "great" or mighty, is beyond the scope of His judgment or outside His providential control. This challenges any notion that Israel's covenant relationship with God offered immunity from consequences for their sin.
2. **Warning Against Complacency and False Security:** The comparison with "Hamath the Great" serves as a stark warning to Israel. If such a prominent and seemingly secure city could face judgment or decline, then Israel, despite its perceived prosperity and divine favor, was equally vulnerable if it continued in its unrighteousness. It underscores the prophetic theme that true security lies not in material wealth or military strength, but in covenant faithfulness to God.
3. **Justice and Accountability:** Amos's prophecy consistently highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice. The fate of "Hamath the Great" and other cities serves as a reminder that God holds all nations accountable for their actions, particularly concerning issues of justice, righteousness, and the treatment of the vulnerable.
### Summary
`{{H2579}}` (Chămath Rabbâh), or "Hamath the Great," is a specific designation for the prominent ancient city of Hamath on the Orontes River, emphasizing its significant size or importance. Appearing uniquely in [[Amos 6:2]], it is strategically employed by the prophet Amos as part of a rhetorical question to challenge the complacent Israelites. By inviting them to compare themselves to "Hamath the Great" and other notable cities, Amos underscores the universal scope of divine judgment and warns against false security. The "greatness" of Hamath serves to amplify the message that no nation, however powerful or seemingly secure, is exempt from God's justice and accountability for its unfaithfulness and injustice. The term, though a simple place name, thus carries profound theological weight within its prophetic context, highlighting God's sovereignty over all human constructs and His demand for righteousness.
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