### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Lûwz**, represented by `{{H3870}}`, is the name given to two distinct places in Palestine. It appears **8 times** across **7 unique verses** in the Bible. Its primary significance comes from its identity as the original name for the city that would later be called Bethel, a site of major importance in patriarchal history.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H3870}}` first appears as the original name of a city in the land of Canaan [[Genesis 35:6]]. It is the place where Jacob, having a profound dream, renames the location Bethel, meaning "house of God" [[Genesis 28:19]]. Years later, Jacob recounts this pivotal moment to his son Joseph, stating that God Almighty appeared to him at **Luz** in the land of Canaan and blessed him [[Genesis 48:3]]. The name is also used as a geographical boundary marker in the distribution of land ([[Joshua 16:2]], [[Joshua 18:13]]). A separate narrative in Judges describes a man from Bethel going into the land of the Hittites and building a completely different city, which he also names **Luz** [[Judges 1:26]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context and significance of Luz:
* `{{H1008}}` **Bêyth-ʼÊl** (house of God): This is the name Jacob gave to Luz after his divine encounter. The renaming signifies a transformation of the place's identity from a simple Canaanite city to a location defined by its connection to God [[Genesis 28:19]].
* `{{H5892}}` **ʻîyr** (city): Luz is consistently identified as a **city**. This term establishes it as a settled location with a distinct identity before it was renamed or before a new city of the same name was founded ([[Genesis 28:19]], [[Judges 1:26]]).
* `{{H1129}}` **bânâh** (to build): This word is used to describe the founding of the second Luz in the land of the Hittites. A man "built a **city**, and called the name thereof Luz," indicating the creation of a new settlement that carried on the name [[Judges 1:26]].
### Theological Significance
The story of `{{H3870}}` carries significant conceptual weight, highlighting several key themes:
* **Transformation through Divine Encounter:** The renaming of Luz to Bethel is a powerful illustration of how a divine encounter can redefine a place. What was once a Canaanite city became a sacred site, the "house of God," central to Israel's heritage [[Genesis 28:19]].
* **Place of Blessing and Revelation:** Luz is specifically remembered by Jacob as the location where God Almighty appeared and **blessed** him [[Genesis 48:3]]. This marks it as a point of divine favor and communication.
* **Historical and Geographical Identity:** The name serves as a crucial historical reference point, anchoring the sacred site of Bethel to its origins. It is used to delineate tribal borders, rooting Israel's inheritance in a tangible, historical landscape [[Joshua 18:13]].
* **Endurance of a Name:** The founding of a second Luz in the land of the Hittites demonstrates that the name itself held significance, enough to be carried to a new location and preserved "unto this **day**" [[Judges 1:26]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3870}}` is more than just an archaic place name. It is a name that represents transformation, marking the "before" to Bethel's "after." The story of Luz becoming Bethel encapsulates a foundational theme in scripture: how God's presence can enter a common place and invest it with everlasting holiness and purpose. The existence of a second Luz further speaks to the power of names to carry history and identity across generations and geography.
TRV