The Hebrew word Kabbôwn, represented by H3522, is a proper name for a place in Palestine. Based on an unused root meaning "to heap up," the name is defined as hilly. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, making it a highly specific geographical reference in the biblical text.
The single appearance of H3522 occurs in the book of Joshua, where it is listed as a town named Cabon. The word is found within a catalog of cities, as recorded in the verse: "And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish," Joshua 15:40. Its context is purely that of a place-name, helping to delineate a specific region within Palestine as part of a larger list.
Several related words appear alongside H3522 in its only biblical mention, helping to establish its geographical context:
- H3903 Lachmâç: This name, which appears as Lahmam in the text, is defined as "food-like" and identifies another place in Palestine. It is listed directly with Cabbon in the same verse Joshua 15:40.
- H3798 Kithlîysh: Meaning "wall of a man," this term also refers to a town in Palestine. It is part of the same list that includes Cabbon and Lahmam, further defining this cluster of locations Joshua 15:40.
Unlike words with broad conceptual meanings, the significance of H3522 is historical and geographical rather than theological.
- Geographical Marker: Its primary function is to identify the specific location of Cabon, a town in Palestine.
- Historical Record: The inclusion of H3522 in Joshua 15:40 is part of the Bible's meticulous record-keeping concerning the allotment of land.
- Topographical Description: The word's root meaning, "to heap up," and its definition as "hilly" may provide a clue to the physical landscape of the area where the town was situated.
In summary, H3522 is not a term with layered theological or metaphorical meaning. Instead, Kabbôwn is a precise geographical identifier for a town named Cabon. Its sole appearance in Joshua 15:40 grounds it firmly in the historical narrative of the settlement of the promised land, demonstrating the Bible's attention to specific details of time and place.
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