the same as לֶשֶׁם; Leshem, a place in Palestine; Leshem.
Transliteration:Leshem
Pronunciation:leh'-shem
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma לֶשֶׁם (Leshem), Strong's `{{H3959}}`, is a proper noun that designates a specific geographical location in ancient Canaan. Unlike common nouns or verbs, its semantic range is exceptionally narrow, limited exclusively to the identification of this particular settlement. The base definition indicates it is "the same as לֶשֶׁם," which most likely refers to the gemstone mentioned in the high priest's breastplate (e.g., [[Exodus 28:19]], [[Exodus 39:12]]), often translated as ligure or jacinth. While this suggests a potential etymological link between the place name and the stone (perhaps due to a local resource or characteristic color), for the proper noun denoting a place, its meaning is strictly nominative: the name of a city.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name לֶשֶׁם (Leshem) appears in the Hebrew Bible in a single, yet significant, passage: [[Joshua 19:47]].
This verse is found within the description of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua, specifically detailing the inheritance of the tribe of Dan. The context reveals that the initial territory allotted to Dan proved insufficient or difficult to secure, prompting a significant migration.
[[Joshua 19:47]] states: "And the border of the children of Dan went out too far for them: therefore the children of Dan went up, and fought against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father."
This passage narrates a pivotal event for the tribe of Dan. Facing pressure and unable to fully inhabit their designated southern coastal plain, a portion of the Danites embarked on a northward expedition. They encountered and conquered Leshem, a city located far from their original inheritance, in the northern reaches of the land. The conquest was decisive, marked by the use of force ("smote it with the edge of the sword"). Following their victory, they settled the city and, in a common ancient Near Eastern practice signifying new ownership and identity, renamed it "Dan." This renaming explains the origin of the strategically important city of Dan, which became the northernmost point of Israel, often referenced in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba." The narrative underscores the dynamic nature of tribal settlement and territorial acquisition in early Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the new name given to the city: דָּן (Dan, `{{H1835}}`). This renaming establishes a permanent historical and geographical link between Leshem and the later prominent city of Dan.
* **דָּן (Dan, `{{H1835}}`):** Refers both to the patriarch and the tribe of Dan, as well as the city that Leshem became. The city of Dan served as a significant northern landmark in Israelite geography.
* **Tribal Inheritance:** The narrative of Leshem is integral to understanding the challenges and complexities of the tribal allotments and their actualization, a central theme in the Book of Joshua.
* **Migration and Conquest:** The Danite movement to Leshem exemplifies the themes of internal migration and military conquest as means of securing territory, a recurring motif in the settlement narratives (cf. the conquest of Debir, formerly Kirjath-sepher).
* **Renaming of Places:** The act of renaming Leshem to Dan is part of a broader biblical pattern where significant events or changes in ownership lead to a new name for a place (e.g., Luz becoming Bethel, [[Genesis 28:19]]; Kirjath-sepher becoming Debir, [[Joshua 15:15]]). This practice signifies a change in identity, allegiance, or destiny for the location.
### Theological Significance
While לֶשֶׁם (Leshem) itself, as a pre-Israelite place name, holds no intrinsic theological meaning, its role in the narrative of the Danite conquest and renaming carries profound theological implications:
1. **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Struggle:** The story illustrates that while God promised the land to Israel, its full possession often involved human struggle, strategic decisions, and military action. The Danites' migration to Leshem, though born of initial difficulty in their allotted territory, ultimately contributed to the broader fulfillment of God's promise for Israel to inhabit the land's full extent.
2. **Establishment of Israelite Identity and Boundaries:** The renaming of Leshem to Dan is a powerful theological statement. It signifies the claim of the land under the covenant and the establishment of Israelite presence and identity in a new region. The city of Dan became a crucial marker for the northern boundary of the promised land, embodying the scope of God's gift.
3. **Adaptive Providence:** The narrative demonstrates God's providence working through unforeseen circumstances. Even when a tribe faced challenges in its initial inheritance, God's plan for Israel's settlement adapted, leading them to conquer and establish a significant outpost in the north, thereby securing the land's full breadth.
4. **Consequences of Disobedience/Weakness (Implicit):** Some interpretations suggest that the Danites' failure to fully possess their initial inheritance was due to a lack of faith or resolve, leading to their northward migration. While not explicitly stated, this perspective highlights the theological tension between divine promise and human responsibility in the land's acquisition.
### Summary
The Hebrew word לֶשֶׁם (Leshem, `{{H3959}}`) refers to a specific Canaanite city, known primarily through its single significant biblical mention in [[Joshua 19:47]]. This passage recounts the conquest of Leshem by the tribe of Dan, who, facing challenges in securing their initial inheritance, migrated northward. Following their victory, the Danites renamed the city "Dan," after their tribal patriarch. This act of renaming is crucial, transforming Leshem into the prominent northern boundary marker of Israel, frequently cited as "from Dan to Beersheba." The narrative of Leshem-become-Dan illuminates themes of tribal migration, military conquest, and the establishment of Israelite identity within the promised land. While Leshem itself is a geographical proper noun with no independent theological meaning, its transformation into "Dan" serves as a powerful testament to the outworking of divine providence, the challenges of human agency in fulfilling God's promises, and the ultimate establishment of Israel's territorial claims.
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