from טוֹב and רִמּוֹן; pleasing (to) Rimmon; Tabrimmon, a Syrian; Tabrimmon.
Transliteration:Ṭabrimmôwn
Pronunciation:tab-rim-mone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name Ṭabrimmôwn (`{{H2886}}`) is a compound proper noun derived from two distinct elements: ṭôb (`{{H2896}}`) and Rimmôn (`{{H7416}}`). The first element, ṭôb, carries the primary meaning of "good," "pleasing," "pleasant," or "right." It denotes something that is inherently positive, beneficial, or aesthetically agreeable. The second element, Rimmôn, in this context, refers not to the fruit "pomegranate" but to a prominent Syrian deity, often associated with the storm god Hadad. Therefore, Ṭabrimmôwn is a theophoric name, literally translating to "Rimmon is good" or "Rimmon is pleasing." This type of naming convention was common in the ancient Near East, where personal names often incorporated the name of a deity to express devotion, seek protection, or acknowledge a divine blessing. In the case of Ṭabrimmôwn, it signifies an individual whose identity and perhaps familial allegiance were deeply intertwined with the worship of the Syrian god Rimmon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Ṭabrimmôwn (`{{H2886}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[1 Kings 15:18]]. In this passage, he is identified as the father of Ben-Hadad I and the son of Hezion, forming a lineage of kings of Aram (Syria) who ruled from Damascus. The verse reads: "And Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,"
The context places Ṭabrimmôwn within the geopolitical landscape of the divided monarchy period, specifically during the reign of King Asa of Judah. Asa, facing pressure from Baasha, King of Israel, sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad I, the son of Ṭabrimmôwn, by sending tribute. This historical detail underscores the diplomatic and military interactions between the kingdoms of Judah, Israel, and Aram. The mention of Ṭabrimmôwn highlights the foreign, non-Israelite nature of the Aramean monarchy, whose religious allegiance was to deities like Rimmon, in stark contrast to the worship of Yahweh in Judah and Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding Ṭabrimmôwn (`{{H2886}}`) involves appreciating its constituent parts and the broader cultural phenomena they represent:
* **ṭôb (`{{H2896}}`):** This foundational Hebrew word signifies "goodness" in various forms—moral, aesthetic, or functional. Its inclusion in a name like Ṭabrimmôwn expresses a positive attribute or a declaration of a deity's perceived beneficence, underscoring the ancient practice of praising or invoking deities through personal nomenclature.
* **Rimmôn (`{{H7416}}`):** While primarily referring to the "pomegranate" fruit in many biblical contexts (e.g., [[Exodus 28:33]]), in Ṭabrimmôwn, it unequivocally denotes the Syrian deity. This distinction is crucial. The god Rimmon is often identified with the storm god Hadad, a prominent deity in the Syro-Canaanite pantheon. The place name "Hadad-Rimmon" in [[Zechariah 12:11]] further alludes to the worship of this deity. The name Ṭabrimmôwn thus serves as a direct linguistic link to the polytheistic religious practices of Israel's neighbors.
* **Theophoric Names:** Ṭabrimmôwn exemplifies the widespread practice of forming names by incorporating the name of a god. While Israelite names often invoked Yahweh (e.g., "Jehovah is my God" in Elijah, "God is my strength" in Gabriel), names like Ṭabrimmôwn demonstrate the parallel practice among surrounding nations who honored their own deities. This contrast implicitly highlights the unique covenantal relationship between Israel and Yahweh.
### Theological Significance
Though Ṭabrimmôwn (`{{H2886}}`) himself is a minor figure in the biblical narrative, his name carries significant theological weight:
* **Contrast of Worship:** The name Ṭabrimmôwn vividly illustrates the stark contrast between the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by Israel and the polytheistic devotion to deities like Rimmon among the surrounding nations. For an Israelite audience, this name would serve as a constant reminder of the distinct spiritual identities and allegiances that separated them from their neighbors, underscoring the divine command against worshipping other gods.
* **Sovereignty of God:** Despite the existence and worship of foreign deities, the biblical narrative consistently demonstrates Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty over all nations, their kings, and their gods. Even a king named in honor of a pagan deity, like Ṭabrimmôwn, and his descendants are shown to be within the scope of Yahweh's overarching plan and providential control, whether as instruments of judgment or as part of the broader historical tapestry through which Yahweh works His purposes.
* **Historical Authenticity:** The inclusion of such a name grounds the biblical account in the historical and cultural realities of the ancient Near East. It reflects the complex interactions—political, military, and religious—between Israel and its pagan neighbors, providing an authentic backdrop for the theological lessons embedded in the narrative.
* **Warning Against Syncretism:** For ancient Israel, the presence of such names among their powerful neighbors would have served as an implicit warning against the ever-present temptation of syncretism and idolatry, a recurring theme throughout the prophetic literature and historical books.
### Summary
Ṭabrimmôwn (`{{H2886}}`) is a Hebrew transliteration of an Aramean royal name, meaning "Rimmon is good" or "Rimmon is pleasing." This theophoric name honors the Syrian storm god Rimmon, distinguishing it from names that invoke Yahweh. Appearing solely in [[1 Kings 15:18]] as the father of Ben-Hadad I, a king of Aram, Ṭabrimmôwn serves as a historical marker within the geopolitical interactions of the divided monarchy. Theologically, his name underscores the profound distinction between the worship of Yahweh and the polytheistic practices of Israel's neighbors, implicitly affirming Yahweh's unique sovereignty over all nations and providing a contextual backdrop for the challenges and temptations faced by ancient Israel in maintaining its covenantal fidelity.
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