### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Yabbôq**, represented by `{{H2999}}`, is defined as a river east of the Jordan, with a name that likely means "pouring forth". This geographical landmark appears **7 times** across **7 unique verses** in the Bible. Its primary function within scripture is to serve as a significant boundary marker, defining the territories of various peoples and the extent of Israel's conquests.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2999}}` is most frequently cited as a border. It marks the boundary of the land of the children of Ammon, which Israel was forbidden to encroach upon [[Deuteronomy 2:37]]. The territory conquered by Israel from Sihon, king of the Amorites, is described as extending "from Arnon unto Jabbok" [[Numbers 21:24]]. This same expanse is later noted in a land dispute between Jephthah and the Ammonites [[Judges 11:13]]. Beyond its role as a boundary, the river is the setting for a pivotal moment in patriarchal history, when Jacob and his household "passed over the ford Jabbok" during the night [[Genesis 32:22]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the role and context of the Jabbok river:
* `{{H5158}}` **nachal** (brook, flood, river, stream, valley): This word is used to classify the Jabbok. Scripture consistently refers to it as "the river `{{H5158}}` Jabbok," establishing its identity as a significant watercourse and not just a place name [[Joshua 12:2]].
* `{{H1366}}` **gᵉbûwl** (border, bound, coast, limit): This term defines the primary function of the Jabbok in the biblical narrative. It is explicitly called "the border `{{H1366}}` of the children of Ammon" in multiple accounts of Israel's land allocation [[Deuteronomy 3:16]].
* `{{H769}}` **ʼArnôwn** (Arnon): The Arnon is another river that is almost always mentioned in conjunction with the Jabbok. The phrase "from Arnon even unto Jabbok" is used repeatedly to delineate the specific territory possessed by Israel after their victories east of the Jordan [[Judges 11:22]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative and geographical significance of `{{H2999}}` is evident in its consistent use throughout the historical books.
* **Defining National Boundaries:** The Jabbok serves as a clear and recurring line of demarcation. It separates the land allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad from the land of the Ammonites, establishing a divine and physical border [[Deuteronomy 3:16]].
* **Marking Conquered Territory:** The river is a key landmark in describing the extent of Israel's military victories and possessions, specifically the land taken from the Amorites that stretched between the Arnon and the Jabbok ([[Numbers 21:24]], [[Judges 11:22]]).
* **A Site of Personal Transition:** For Jacob, crossing the Jabbok was a significant event that occurred just before a major turning point in his life. The crossing itself represents a moment of passage and vulnerability [[Genesis 32:22]].
* **A Point of Historical Contention:** The river is central to the dispute between Israel and Ammon, with the king of Ammon claiming the territory up to the Jabbok and Jordan as his own, a claim Jephthah refutes based on the history of the conquest [[Judges 11:13]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2999}}` is far more than a simple geographical feature. It is a critical landmark in the Old Testament, functioning as a definitive border in matters of conquest, settlement, and national identity. As the boundary of the Ammonites, the extent of Israelite territory, and the site of Jacob's personal journey, the Jabbok river is woven into the very fabric of Israel's history and its relationship with its neighbors.
TRV