The Hebrew word Leshaʻ, represented by H3962, is a place name thought to mean a boiling spring. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term is derived from an unused root believed to mean "to break through" and identifies a location probably East of the Jordan, used to define an ancient geographical boundary.
The single biblical reference to H3962 is found in Genesis 10:19, where it serves as a crucial landmark defining the territory of the Canaanites. The verse describes a border that runs "from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha" Genesis 10:19. In this context, Lasha functions as the final point in a list of cities that outline the extent of the Canaanite border.
Several words in the surrounding text clarify the geographical and ethnic context of Lasha:
- H1366 gᵉbûwl (border): This word, meaning "a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed," establishes the purpose of the list in which Lesha appears Genesis 10:19. The concept of a border is central, whether it is a national territory Exodus 23:31 or a personal one enlarged by God 1 Chronicles 4:10.
- H3669 Kᵉnaʻanîy (Canaanite): This identifies the people whose land is being outlined. The Canaanites are consistently listed as one of the peoples inhabiting the land God promised to give to the seed of Abraham Nehemiah 9:8.
- H5467 Çᵉdôm (Sodom): A major city listed in the same boundary line as Lesha. Its name means a "burnt...district" and it is frequently referenced in scripture as a place of judgment Genesis 19:24 and wickedness Ezekiel 16:49.
The geographical significance of H3962 is tied entirely to its role as a boundary marker.
- Definitive Landmark: The primary function of Lesha in the biblical text is to serve as a fixed point on a map, marking the eastern extent of the Canaanite border in the region of the Dead Sea cities Genesis 10:19.
- Association with the Cities of the Plain: Lesha is grouped with Sodom H5467, Gomorrah H6017, Admah H126, and Zeboim H6636. This cluster of cities is later referenced as a collective example of divine overthrow and judgment Deuteronomy 29:23.
- Mapping a Territory: The verse outlines a specific path starting from Sidon H6721 and moving south through Gerar H1642 and Gaza H5804, before turning inland toward the cities of the plain, culminating at Lesha. This establishes a clear and defined territory for the Canaanite people.
In summary, Lasha H3962 is a specific geographical location mentioned once in scripture. Its role is essential for understanding the biblical description of ancient territories. It functions as a definitive endpoint for the border of the Canaanites, providing a concrete landmark that, along with cities like Sodom and Gomorrah, helps to map out the world as presented in the book of Genesis.
TRV