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.
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.
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.
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- Historical and Geographical Identity: The name serves as a crucial historical reference point, anchoring the sacred site of Bethel to its origins.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.
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