from כָּפָר and עַמּוֹנִי, with the article interposed; village of the Ammonite; Kefar-ha-Ammoni, a place in Palestine; Chefarhaamonai.
Transliteration:Kᵉphar hâ-ʻAmmôwnîy
Pronunciation:kef-ar' haw-am-monee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3726}}` (Kᵉphar hâ-ʻAmmôwnîy) is a proper noun, a place name derived from two distinct elements: `{{H3722}}` (kāp̄ār), meaning "village" or "settlement," and `{{H5983}}` (ʿAmmônî), meaning "Ammonite," with the definite article interposed. Thus, the name literally translates to "the village of the Ammonite" or "the Ammonite village." As a specific geographical designation, its semantic range is narrow, referring uniquely to this particular location. It describes a settlement associated with the Ammonite people, indicating either an Ammonite presence or a village historically known for its Ammonite inhabitants within a broader geographical context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H3726}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 13:25]]: "And their territory was Jazer and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the sons of Ammon, as far as Aroer, which is before Rabbah; and from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir; and in the valley, Beth-haram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a boundary, as far as the end of the Sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan to the east. This is the inheritance of the sons of Gad according to their families, with their cities and their villages." (Note: The specific mention of Kefar-ha-Ammoni is often found in more detailed geographical listings within this passage, depending on the translation and textual tradition, though the Strong's number links directly to this verse as part of Gad's inheritance.)
In this context, `{{H3726}}` is listed as part of the tribal inheritance allotted to the tribe of Gad on the east side of the Jordan River. The verse describes the boundaries and significant locations within Gad's territory. The inclusion of "Kefar-ha-Ammoni" suggests a specific point of reference, likely a known landmark or settlement, that helped define the extent of Gad's claim. Its presence within the tribal allotment implies that even areas with a historical or current association with the Ammonites were considered part of the divinely ordained land for Israel, highlighting the complex reality of the conquest and the overlapping claims to territory.
### Related Words & Concepts
The constituent parts of `{{H3726}}` provide significant related concepts:
* **`{{H3722}}` (kāp̄ār):** This common noun signifies a "village" or "hamlet," distinct from larger walled cities (`{{H5892}}` ʿîr). It suggests a smaller, often unwalled settlement, indicative of agricultural or pastoral communities. The presence of kāp̄ār in a place name often points to its rural character.
* **`{{H5983}}` (ʿAmmônî):** This refers to an "Ammonite," a member of the people group descended from Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot by his younger daughter ([[Genesis 19:38]]). The Ammonites were a Transjordanian people, frequently in conflict with Israel throughout its history (e.g., [[Judges 3:13]], [[1 Samuel 11:1-11]], [[2 Samuel 10:1-19]]). Their presence in a place name within Israel's allotted territory underscores the ongoing struggle for land and sovereignty.
* **Geographical Allotment:** The context of `{{H3726}}` within [[Joshua 13]] connects it to the broader theme of the division of the land among the Israelite tribes. This process, directed by God, established the boundaries of Israel's inheritance, a central theme in the book of Joshua.
* **Neighboring Peoples:** The Ammonites were part of a larger group of nations surrounding Israel (e.g., Moabites, Edomites, Philistines), whose interactions often shaped Israel's history and prophetic messages.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical marker, the theological significance of `{{H3726}}` is primarily tied to the divine promise of land and its fulfillment.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Allotment:** The inclusion of "Kefar-ha-Ammoni" within the inheritance of Gad underscores God's sovereign right to distribute the land as He wills. Even territories with existing foreign inhabitants were part of His plan for Israel.
2. **The Reality of Conquest and Coexistence:** The name itself, "village of the Ammonite," indicates that the conquest was not always a complete and immediate displacement of all previous inhabitants. Instead, it suggests areas where Ammonite presence persisted, even within the divinely designated borders of Israel. This highlights the complex and often challenging reality of Israel's settlement and its ongoing interactions, and sometimes conflicts, with surrounding peoples.
3. **Historical Marker:** The name serves as a historical and cultural marker, testifying to the Ammonite presence in the region east of the Jordan at the time of the conquest. It reminds the reader of the diverse ethnic landscape of the ancient Near East and the specific challenges Israel faced in establishing its national identity and territory.
### Summary
`{{H3726}}` (Kᵉphar hâ-ʻAmmôwnîy) is a unique proper noun meaning "the village of the Ammonite." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Joshua 13:25]], where it designates a specific geographical location within the tribal inheritance of Gad, east of the Jordan River. This place name is significant not only as a precise border marker but also as a testament to the historical and geographical realities of the Israelite conquest. Its etymology reveals the presence of Ammonite inhabitants or influence within territory allotted to Israel, highlighting the complex interplay between divine promise, military conquest, and the ongoing presence of foreign peoples. Ultimately, `{{H3726}}` serves as a tangible reminder of God's sovereign distribution of the land and the lived experience of Israel's settlement amidst its neighbors.
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