the same as לִבְנֶה; Libnah, a place in the Desert and one in Palestine; Libnah.
Transliteration:Libnâh
Pronunciation:lib-naw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word לִבְנָה (Libnâh, `{{H3841}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a toponym, referring to a geographical location. Its etymological root is connected to לָבָן (lavan, `{{H3835}}`), meaning "to be white" or "to make white," and לִבְנֶה (livneh, `{{H3839}}`), which denotes the white poplar tree. Therefore, the name "Libnah" likely conveys the sense of a "place of whiteness," perhaps due to the presence of white soil, limestone formations, or an abundance of white poplar trees. As a proper noun, its primary semantic function is to identify a specific locale rather than to describe an abstract concept.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Libnah appears in the biblical text in two distinct geographical contexts, suggesting two separate locations bearing the same name:
1. **A Station in the Wilderness Wanderings:**
This Libnah is recorded in the itinerary of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. It marks a specific encampment site during their forty years in the desert.
* [[Numbers 33:20]]: "They set out from Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah."
* [[Numbers 33:21]]: "They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah."
In this context, Libnah serves as a geographical marker within the divine leading of Israel, highlighting the structured progression of their journey under God's guidance.
2. **A City in Judah:**
This Libnah is a more frequently mentioned and historically significant city located in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah.
* **Conquest and Allotment:** It was one of the Canaanite royal cities conquered by Joshua.
* [[Joshua 10:29]]: "Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah."
* [[Joshua 10:30]]: "And the Lord gave Libnah also and its king into the hand of Israel, and he struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it; he left none remaining in it, but did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho."
* It was subsequently allotted to the tribe of Judah as part of their inheritance.
* [[Joshua 15:42]]: "Libnah, Ether, Ashan," (listed among the cities of Judah).
* **Levitical City:** Libnah was designated as one of the cities given to the Levites, specifically to the sons of Aaron (priests).
* [[Joshua 21:13]]: "To the sons of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the slayer, with its pasture lands, and Libnah with its pasture lands..."
* [[1 Chronicles 6:57]]: "To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa..." (parallel account).
* **Historical Events:** Libnah features in the narratives of the Israelite monarchy.
* During the reign of King Hezekiah, it was a fortified city under siege by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, alongside Lachish.
* [[2 Kings 19:8]]: "So the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he heard that the king had departed from Lachish."
* [[Isaiah 37:8]]: (parallel passage) "The Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he heard that the king had departed from Lachish."
* It is also noted as the hometown of Hamutal, the mother of King Jehoahaz and King Zedekiah.
* [[2 Kings 23:31]]: "Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah."
* [[2 Kings 24:18]]: "Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah."
The distinct contexts clearly indicate two separate places named Libnah, one in the desert and one in Judah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological connection of לִבְנָה (Libnâh) to the root לָבַן (lavan, `{{H3835}}`, "to be white") and the noun לִבְנֶה (livneh, `{{H3839}}`, "white poplar") links it to concepts of purity, brightness, or specific natural features. While לְבָנָה (levanah, `{{H3842}}`, "moon") shares the same root for "whiteness," it is semantically distinct from the place name.
The designation of Libnah as a Levitical city connects it to the broader biblical themes of:
* **Levitical Cities and Cities of Refuge:** These cities served as centers for priestly instruction, spiritual guidance, and as places of sanctuary for those who had committed unintentional homicide. This highlights their role in upholding God's law and providing ordered justice within Israel.
* **Inheritance and Allotment:** Libnah's inclusion in the tribal allotments underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to give the land to Israel.
* **Divine Providence in History:** Its appearance in narratives of conquest and siege ties it into the unfolding drama of God's interaction with His people and surrounding nations.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of Libnah, though referring to specific places, carry various theological implications:
* **Divine Guidance and Provision:** The wilderness Libnah serves as a testament to God's meticulous guidance of Israel through their desert wanderings. Each encampment was part of His deliberate plan, demonstrating His faithfulness to lead and provide for His people on their journey towards the promised land.
* **Fulfillment of Covenant Promises:** The conquest of the Judean Libnah by Joshua and its subsequent allotment to Judah, followed by its designation as a Levitical city, powerfully illustrates the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham's descendants. It signifies God's power in battle and His unwavering commitment to His word, establishing His people in the land He had sworn to give them.
* **Holiness and Order:** As a Levitical city, Libnah embodies the principle of holiness and the divine order established for Israel. These cities were strategically located to ensure the presence of priestly instruction and the administration of God's law throughout the land, fostering a nation set apart for Yahweh. The provision of cities of refuge within this framework further underscores God's justice and mercy.
* **God's Sovereignty in History:** The siege of Libnah by Sennacherib highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and historical events. Even when powerful empires threatened God's people, His divine purposes prevailed, as seen in His deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. The city's connection to the lineage of Judah's kings, through Zedekiah's mother, subtly weaves it into the broader narrative of God's dealings with the Davidic dynasty and the unfolding history of His covenant people.
### Summary
לִבְנָה (Libnâh, `{{H3841}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun denoting two distinct locations in the Old Testament, both etymologically linked to "whiteness" or "poplar trees." One Libnah was a station in the wilderness itinerary, symbolizing God's precise guidance. The other, more prominent, was a city in Judah, conquered by Joshua, allotted to the tribe of Judah, and designated as a Levitical city. This Judean Libnah played a role in significant historical events, including Sennacherib's invasion and as the hometown of King Zedekiah's mother. Theologically, Libnah underscores themes of divine guidance, the fulfillment of covenant promises, the establishment of holiness and order through the Levitical system, and God's overarching sovereignty in the historical unfolding of His plan for Israel. Though a place name, its various biblical contexts collectively point to God's active and purposeful involvement in the life and destiny of His people.
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