The Hebrew word Yoqdᵉʻâm, represented by H3347, is the name of a place in Palestine. It is derived from terms meaning "burning of (the) people." This name is exceedingly rare in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse.
The sole biblical reference to H3347 is in a geographical list. In Joshua 15:56, it is mentioned as one of the cities in a sequence, listed alongside Jezreel and Zanoah. The verse does not provide any further narrative or detail about Jokdeam itself, functioning purely as a geographical marker.
The words listed alongside Jokdeam provide a broader context for its location and the era:
- H3157 Yizrᵉʻêʼl (Jezreel): Defined as "God will sow," this is a significant location mentioned multiple times. Jezreel is the site of the watchman's tower 2 Kings 9:17 and the place where Jehu eliminated the house of Ahab 2 Kings 10:11. It is also central to the prophecies in the book of Hosea Hosea 1:4.
- H2182 Zânôwach (Zanoah): Meaning "rejected," this was the name of two places in Palestine. Its inhabitants, under Hanun, were responsible for repairing the valley gate of Jerusalem Nehemiah 3:13.
The theological weight of H3347 is derived almost entirely from its name and its associations, as it has no direct narrative role.
- A Name of Record: The name Jokdeam itself, meaning "burning of (the) people," suggests it may have been named to commemorate a significant event, although the details of this event are not recorded in scripture.
- Geographic Identity: Its appearance in Joshua 15:56 serves a practical, historical purpose, helping to delineate a specific territory in ancient Palestine.
- Contextual Association: While Jokdeam is passive, it is mentioned with H3157 Jezreel, a place deeply connected with divine judgment and royal history, such as the Lord's promise to "avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu" Hosea 1:4.
In summary, H3347 is a singular place name whose biblical contribution is entirely contained within one verse. Its meaning, "burning of (the) people," hints at a lost history. The primary way to understand Jokdeam is through its geographical context, where it is listed among more prominent locations like Jezreel and Zanoah, grounding it in the historical landscape of ancient Israel.
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