### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Libnâh**, represented by `{{H3841}}`, is a proper name for a place in the Desert and one in Palestine. It appears **18 times** across **17 unique verses** in the Bible, identifying specific locations central to Israel's history, from its wilderness wanderings to the final days of the kingdom of Judah.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H3841}}` is mentioned in several distinct contexts. It first appears as a campsite for the Israelites during their journey in the desert [[Numbers 33:20-21]]. Later, it is identified as a royal Canaanite city with its own **king** `{{H4428}}` that was conquered and **fought** `{{H3898}}` against by **Joshua** `{{H3091}}` and all **Israel** `{{H3478}}` ([[Joshua 10:29]], [[Joshua 12:15]]). After its capture, **Libnah** `{{H3841}}` was designated as a Levitical city and a **city of refuge** `{{H4733}}`, given to the **sons** `{{H1121}}` of **Aaron** `{{H175}}` the **priest** `{{H3548}}` ([[Joshua 21:13]], [[1 Chronicles 6:57]]). The city is also noted for its revolt against **Judah** `{{H3063}}` [[2 Kings 8:22]], an event linked to the king having **forsaken** `{{H5800}}` the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` [[2 Chronicles 21:10]]. Finally, it is the hometown of **Hamutal** `{{H2537}}`, the mother of kings **Jehoahaz** `{{H3059}}` and **Zedekiah** `{{H6667}}` ([[2 Kings 23:31]], [[2 Kings 24:18]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related locations and terms are closely associated with Libnah's history:
* `{{H2275}}` **Chebrôwn** (seat of association; Chebron): Like Libnah, **Hebron** was a major city conquered by Israel and given to the **sons** `{{H1121}}` of **Aaron** `{{H175}}` as a **city of refuge** `{{H4733}}` [[1 Chronicles 6:57]]. The conquest of **Hebron** `{{H2275}}` is mentioned as a parallel to the destruction of Libnah [[Joshua 10:39]].
* `{{H3923}}` **Lâkîysh** (Lakish, a place in Palestine): Libnah is linked militarily with Lachish. The king of **Assyria** `{{H804}}` departed from **Lachish** `{{H3923}}` to war against Libnah [[2 Kings 19:8]]. After conquering Libnah, **Joshua** `{{H3091}}` and Israel **passed** `{{H5674}}` to Lachish to fight against it [[Joshua 10:31]].
* `{{H4054}}` **migrâsh** (a suburb): Libnah was given to the priests along with her **suburbs** `{{H4054}}`, indicating it was a significant city with surrounding pasture lands designated for the Levites ([[Joshua 21:13]], [[1 Chronicles 6:57]]).
* `{{H123}}` **ʼĔdôm** (Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob): **Edom** `{{H123}}` is mentioned as having **revolted** `{{H6586}}` from Judah at the same **time** `{{H6256}}` that Libnah did, highlighting a period of significant political instability and rebellion ([[2 Kings 8:22]], [[2 Chronicles 21:10]]).
### Theological Significance
The story of `{{H3841}}` illustrates several important biblical themes:
* **Divine Conquest:** The capture of Libnah under **Joshua** `{{H3091}}` is a key event in the conquest of Canaan. The narrative emphasizes a complete victory where all the **souls** `{{H5315}}` were **smote** `{{H5221}}` with the **edge** `{{H6310}}` of the **sword** `{{H2719}}`, leaving none **remaining** `{{H8300}}` [[Joshua 10:39]], as the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` **delivered** `{{H5414}}` these cities into Israel's **hand** `{{H3027}}` [[Joshua 10:32]].
* **Sacred Allotment:** After its conquest, Libnah's identity was transformed. It was set apart and given to the **sons** `{{H1121}}` of **Aaron** `{{H175}}` as a priestly city and a **city of refuge** `{{H4733}}` [[Joshua 21:13]]. This act demonstrates the land's redistribution according to divine purpose.
* **Consequences of Apostasy:** Libnah's later **revolt** `{{H6586}}` is directly attributed to the king of Judah's unfaithfulness, as "he had **forsaken** `{{H5800}}` the LORD **God** `{{H430}}` of his **fathers** `{{H1}}`" [[2 Chronicles 21:10]]. This connects the city's political fate to the spiritual condition of the nation's leadership.
* **Royal Lineage:** The city is the stated origin of **Hamutal** `{{H2537}}`, the **mother** `{{H517}}` of two of Judah's last kings ([[2 Kings 23:31]], [[2 Kings 24:18]]). This links Libnah to the final, tragic chapter of the Davidic monarchy before the Babylonian exile.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3841}}` is more than just a place name; it is a location with a multifaceted history woven into the fabric of Israel's narrative. From a camp in the wilderness, it became a site of military conquest, a sacred priestly city, a center of political rebellion, and the hometown of a queen. The story of Libnah reflects the larger biblical themes of divine judgment, holy inheritance, and the consequences of turning away from God.
TRV