from an unused root meaning to heap up; hilly; Cabon, a place in Palestine; Cabbon.
Transliteration:Kabbôwn
Pronunciation:kab-bone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כַּבּוֹן (Kabbôwn, `{{H3522}}`) functions as a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. Its etymology is traced to an unused root that conveys the concept of "to heap up." From this root, the primary meaning of Kabbôwn is derived as "hilly," suggesting a location characterized by elevated terrain or mounds. As a toponym, it denotes a specific settlement or area in ancient Palestine, reflecting a descriptive quality of its landscape. The semantic range of כַּבּוֹן is thus quite narrow, referring exclusively to this particular place whose name literally describes its topographical features.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כַּבּוֹן (Kabbôwn, `{{H3522}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible.
* [[Joshua 15:40]]: "And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,"
In this solitary occurrence, Kabbôwn is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah. Specifically, it is enumerated within the cities of the Shephelah, the lowlands or foothills of Judah, which lay between the central mountainous spine and the coastal plain. The context is a meticulous and detailed record of the tribal inheritances, demonstrating the precise fulfillment of Yahweh's promise to Israel regarding the land. Kabbôwn's inclusion in this administrative list underscores the comprehensive nature of the land division and the reality of the Israelite settlement in Canaan. Its mention is purely geographical, providing no narrative or historical details beyond its location within Judah's territory.
### Related Words & Concepts
While כַּבּוֹן (Kabbôwn, `{{H3522}}`) itself is a unique proper noun, its etymological root suggesting "to heap up" connects it conceptually to words related to elevation, accumulation, or prominence. Though the root is unused elsewhere in this form, it bears a conceptual resemblance to terms like כבד (kābēd, `{{H3513}}`), meaning "heavy" or "weighty," which can also imply significance or glory, though the direct etymological link to the place name Kabbôwn is through the sense of physical 'heaping' leading to 'hilly.'
More broadly, Kabbôwn belongs to the category of place names that are descriptive of their physical environment. Other Hebrew terms for topographical features include:
* גבעה (givʿāh, `{{H1389}}`): "hill," a common term for smaller elevations.
* הר (har, `{{H2022}}`): "mountain" or "mount," denoting larger, more significant elevations.
* עמק (ʿēmeq, `{{H6010}}`): "valley" or "plain," representing the opposite topographical feature.
The listing of Kabbôwn alongside other cities in Judah's inheritance (e.g., Lahmam, Kithlish) places it within the broader framework of the divinely ordained land distribution, connecting it to the concept of territorial possession and the fulfillment of covenant promises.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כַּבּוֹן (Kabbôwn, `{{H3522}}`) is not found in any inherent symbolic meaning of the word itself, nor in its being a site of major biblical events. Rather, its importance lies in its context within the book of Joshua.
1. **Divine Faithfulness:** Kabbôwn's inclusion in the detailed inventory of Judah's inheritance in [[Joshua 15:40]] serves as a testament to God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land (e.g., [[Genesis 15:18-21]]). Every city, every "hilly" place, was part of the divine plan for Israel's dwelling.
2. **Sovereignty and Order:** The precise demarcation of tribal boundaries and the listing of towns like Kabbôwn underscore God's sovereignty over the land and His orderly establishment of the Israelite nation. It reflects a divine blueprint, not a haphazard conquest.
3. **Concrete Reality of Possession:** The mention of specific, identifiable places like Kabbôwn grounds the narrative of the conquest and settlement in concrete geographical reality. It emphasizes that the promises were not abstract but were tangibly fulfilled in the physical possession of the land. Even a seemingly minor "hilly" town was a part of this grand divine design.
### Summary
כַּבּוֹן (Kabbôwn, `{{H3522}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a place name meaning "hilly," derived from an unused root signifying "to heap up." Its sole biblical appearance is in [[Joshua 15:40]], where it is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the Shephelah region. While כַּבּוֹן itself carries no direct narrative or symbolic weight, its presence within the meticulous geographical records of Joshua underscores profound theological truths. It serves as a concrete witness to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises of land to Israel, His sovereign ordering of the nation's inheritance, and the tangible reality of the Israelite settlement in Canaan. The name, descriptive of its topography, thus becomes a small but significant detail within the grand tapestry of divine provision and promise fulfillment.
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