The Hebrew name Kᵉphar hâ-ʻAmmôwnîy, represented by H3726, translates to village of the Ammonite. It is the name of a place in Palestine, rendered as Chefarhaamonai. This term is exceptionally specific, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the scriptures, signifying its role as a precise geographical marker rather than a recurring theme.
The sole appearance of H3726 is in the book of Joshua, as part of the detailed accounting of the land allotted to the tribes of Israel. In the list of cities designated for the tribe of Benjamin, the Bible records, "And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages" Joshua 18:24. This places it firmly within the inheritance of Benjamin, listed alongside other towns like Ophni H6078 and Gaba H1387.
Several related words from its only context in Joshua 18:24 help define its setting:
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): Chepharhaammonai is identified as one of twelve cities given to Benjamin. The term is broad, defining "a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)."
- H2691 châtsêr (village): The verse specifies that the twelve cities were given "with their villages." This term denotes a hamlet or yard, likely referring to the smaller, unwalled settlements surrounding a main city.
- H1387 Gebaʻ (Geba): A fellow city mentioned in the same list as H3726, its name means "a hillock." It appears elsewhere as a significant location in Judah's history 2 Chronicles 16:6.
The significance of H3726 is rooted in its role within the biblical narrative of the Israelite settlement of Canaan.
- Fulfillment of Promise: Its inclusion in the list of Benjamin's cities serves as a tangible record of the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Jacob.
- Tribal Inheritance: The name is part of the legal and geographical definition of the territory belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, establishing its specific inheritance among the twelve tribes Joshua 18:24.
- Historical Record: The meaning of the name itself, "village of the Ammonite," points to the history of the land before the Israelite conquest, marking its transition into the possession of the tribe of Benjamin.
In summary, H3726 is a precise geographical name, not a word with deep theological complexity. Its importance lies in its singular mention, which helps to ground the account of the division of the Promised Land in a specific, historical context. The name Chepharhaammonai functions as a piece of the detailed map that outlines the inheritance of the tribes of Israel, particularly the portion given to Benjamin.
TRV