from the feminine plural of כֶּסֶל and תָּבוֹר; flanks of Tabor; Kisloth-Tabor, a place in Palestine; Chisloth-tabor.
Transliteration:Kiçlôth Tâbôr
Pronunciation:kis-loth' taw-bore'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר (Kiçlôth Tâbôr), Strong's H3696, is a compound geographical name. It is derived from the feminine plural of כֶּסֶל (kesel, `{{H3773}}`), meaning "loin" or "flank," and תָּבוֹר (Tâbôr, `{{H8396}}`), referring to Mount Tabor. Thus, the literal meaning of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר is "flanks of Tabor" or "loins of Tabor." This designation points to a specific location situated on the slopes or at the base of the prominent Mount Tabor. Semantically, it functions exclusively as a place name, identifying a town or settlement directly associated with the mountain, serving as a distinct landmark within the ancient Israelite landscape.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 19:12]]: "And from Sarid it turned eastward toward the sunrise to the border of Chisloth-tabor, and went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia."
In this sole occurrence, כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר is meticulously listed as a boundary marker for the tribal allotment of Issachar. The context is the detailed description of the land divisions among the Israelite tribes after the conquest of Canaan. The inclusion of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר signifies its recognition as a well-known and identifiable geographical point during the period of settlement. Its function here is purely cartographic, serving to define precisely the extent of Issachar's territory. The specificity of such place names underscores the meticulous nature of the land distribution, reflecting a divine order in the allocation of the promised inheritance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר is illuminated by its constituent parts and broader biblical concepts:
* **כֶּסֶל (kesel, `{{H3773}}`):** While this root can also mean "confidence" or "folly" in other contexts, in the plural form כִּסְלֹת when applied to geography, it unequivocally refers to the "flanks" or "slopes" of a mountain. This usage highlights the topographical relationship of the place to Mount Tabor.
* **תָּבוֹר (Tâbôr, `{{H8396}}`):** Mount Tabor itself is a highly prominent and distinctive landmark in the Jezreel Valley. It is mentioned elsewhere in scripture, notably as the gathering place for Barak's army before the defeat of Sisera ([[Judges 4:6]]). The enduring significance of Mount Tabor as a geographical and historical point anchors the identity of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר as a location in its immediate vicinity.
* **Boundary Markers (גְּבוּל, gevul, `{{H1366}}`):** The concept of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר as a boundary marker connects it to the broader theme of tribal inheritance (נַחֲלָה, nachalah, `{{H5159}}`) and the detailed demarcation of the Promised Land. This meticulous outlining of borders in Joshua emphasizes the divine precision in fulfilling the covenantal promise.
* **Geographical Precision:** The inclusion of specific place names like כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר underscores the historical and geographical reality of the Israelite settlement, grounding the biblical narrative in tangible locations.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical place name, כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר holds indirect yet profound theological significance within the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel. Its primary theological import lies in its role as a specific point in the demarcation of the Promised Land.
1. **Fulfillment of Divine Promise:** The precise listing of כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר as a boundary marker in [[Joshua 19:12]] testifies to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenantal promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – to give their descendants a specific land inheritance ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]). The meticulous detail of these boundaries underscores the concrete reality of this divine gift.
2. **Divine Order and Justice:** The allocation of land to each tribe, with specific and identifiable markers like כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר, reflects the divine order and justice in distributing the inheritance. It illustrates God's sovereignty over the land and His purposeful arrangement for His people.
3. **Tangible Reality of God's Presence:** While not a site of overt theological revelation or miraculous events itself, the very existence and naming of such places ground the sacred history in tangible, physical space. It reminds the reader that God's actions and promises are not abstract but manifest in the real world, shaping the geography and destiny of His chosen people.
### Summary
כִּסְלֹת תָּבֹר (H3696) literally means "flanks of Tabor," identifying a specific geographical location, likely a town or settlement, situated at the base or on the slopes of Mount Tabor. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Joshua 19:12]] establishes it as a precise boundary marker for the tribe of Issachar, highlighting its significance as a known landmark during the Israelite settlement. While not a site of direct theological events, its inclusion in the meticulous land divisions underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenantal promise of land to Israel, demonstrating divine order and justice in the allocation of the inheritance. It serves as a testament to the tangible reality of God's promises made manifest in the physical geography of the Promised Land.
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