from רוּם; elevation; Jarmuth, the name of two places in Palestine; Jarmuth.
Transliteration:Yarmûwth
Pronunciation:yar-mooth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יַרְמוּת (Yarmûwth), Strong's number `{{H3412}}`, is a proper noun derived from the verbal root רוּם (rûwm) `{{H7311}}`, which signifies "to be high," "to rise," or "to exalt." Consequently, the core meaning of Yarmûwth is "elevation" or "high place." As a toponym, its semantic range is restricted to identifying specific geographical locations in ancient Palestine that were likely characterized by their elevated topography. The biblical record indicates at least two distinct places bearing this name.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yarmûwth (`{{H3412}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively as a geographical designation. Its occurrences point to two separate locations:
1. **A Canaanite Royal City in Judah:**
* This Yarmûwth was a prominent city in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah. It is first mentioned as one of the five Amorite kings who formed an alliance against Gibeon and were subsequently defeated by Joshua, highlighting its significance as a regional power before the Israelite conquest ([[Joshua 10:3]], [[Joshua 10:5]], [[Joshua 10:23]]).
* It is later enumerated among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the Shephelah, confirming its location within the western foothills ([[Joshua 15:35]]).
* Its mention in [[Nehemiah 11:29]] indicates that it was re-inhabited by descendants of Judah after the Babylonian exile, signifying its continued existence and importance as a settlement.
2. **A Levitical City in Issachar:**
* Another Yarmûwth is listed as a Levitical city belonging to the sons of Gershon within the territory of Issachar ([[Joshua 21:29]]).
* In the parallel passage in [[1 Chronicles 6:73]] (Hebrew [[1 Chronicles 6:58]]), this same city is identified as רָמֹת (Ramoth), which also means "heights." This suggests either a variant name for the same place or a scribal difference, both names underscoring the elevated nature of the location. Its designation as a Levitical city points to its role as a center for the Levites, who served as teachers and guardians of the Mosaic Law.
The contextual uses consistently portray Yarmûwth as a substantial and established settlement, whether as a strategic royal city in the conquest narratives or as a key Levitical center, reflecting its physical characteristic as an "elevated" place.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root רוּם (rûwm) `{{H7311}}`:** The fundamental root from which Yarmûwth is derived. This root is prolific in the Hebrew Bible, giving rise to words related to height, exaltation, lifting up, and being high. Examples include רָם (ram) `{{H7413}}` ("high, exalted"), מָרוֹם (marom) `{{H4791}}` ("height, high place"), and תְּרוּמָה (terumah) `{{H8641}}` ("heave offering," something lifted up).
* **Toponyms of Elevation:** Yarmûwth belongs to a category of biblical place names that describe geographical features, particularly elevation. Other examples include:
* גִּבְעָה (Giv'ah) `{{H1389}}`: "hill."
* הַר (har) `{{H2022}}`: "mountain."
* רָמָה (Ramah) `{{H7414}}`: "high place," often a town situated on a height, directly related to the root רוּם and sharing semantic overlap with Yarmûwth, as seen in [[1 Chronicles 6:73]].
* **Canaanite City-States:** The Yarmûwth of Judah was a Canaanite royal city, placing it within the network of independent city-states that populated the land prior to the Israelite conquest. This links it conceptually to other significant Canaanite centers such as Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, which also fell under Israelite dominion.
### Theological Significance
While Yarmûwth, as a proper place name, does not bear intrinsic theological doctrine, its appearances within the biblical narrative contribute to several overarching theological themes:
* **Divine Sovereignty in Conquest:** The capture of Yarmûwth by Joshua ([[Joshua 10]]) serves as a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to grant the land of Canaan to Israel. The swift and decisive defeat of the allied kings, including the king of Yarmûwth, underscores God's omnipotence over opposing forces and His active intervention in human history to fulfill His redemptive plan. This narrative is a testament to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.
* **Allotment of the Land:** Yarmûwth's inclusion in the tribal allotments ([[Joshua 15:35]], [[Joshua 21:29]]) highlights the meticulous and divinely ordered division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. This act established the territorial inheritance and identity of each tribe, reflecting God's divine order, provision, and justice.
* **Continuity and Restoration:** The mention of Yarmûwth in [[Nehemiah 11:29]] after the Babylonian exile demonstrates the post-exilic community's re-establishment in their ancestral lands. This signifies God's enduring commitment to His people, their return from dispersion, and the restoration of their national identity within the covenant land.
* **Levitical Purity and Instruction:** The designation of one Yarmûwth as a Levitical city ([[Joshua 21:29]], [[1 Chronicles 6:73]]) indicates its crucial role in the spiritual infrastructure of Israel. These cities were strategically distributed to ensure that the Levites, responsible for teaching the Law, administering justice, and maintaining the purity of worship, were accessible throughout the land. This underscores God's desire for His people to be continually instructed in His ways and to live in covenant faithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יַרְמוּת (Yarmûwth), derived from the root רוּם (rûwm) meaning "elevation," functions as a proper noun for two distinct geographical locations in the biblical narrative. The first, a Canaanite royal city in the Shephelah of Judah, is prominently featured in the book of Joshua as one of the cities conquered by Israel, symbolizing God's fulfillment of His covenant promises and His power in the conquest of the land ([[Joshua 10:3]], [[Joshua 15:35]]). Its re-establishment in the post-exilic period ([[Nehemiah 11:29]]) speaks to God's enduring faithfulness and the restoration of His people. The second Yarmûwth, located in the territory of Issachar, was designated as a Levitical city ([[Joshua 21:29]], [[1 Chronicles 6:73]]), highlighting its role in the spiritual infrastructure of Israel and the importance of priestly instruction. While primarily a toponym, Yarmûwth's appearances in Scripture collectively underscore profound theological themes of divine sovereignty in land distribution, the fulfillment of covenant, and the structured establishment of Israel's national and spiritual life under God's guidance. Its name consistently points to its physical characteristic of being an "elevated" place.