### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term **Migdal-ʼÊl**, represented by `{{H4027}}`, is a place name in Palestine meaning **tower of God**. It is a compound word derived from "tower" (מִגְדָּל) and "God" (אֵל). This name appears only **1 time** in a single verse in the entire biblical record, marking it as a specific, localized reference.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole biblical mention of `{{H4027}}` is found in the book of Joshua. It is listed as one of nineteen cities `{{H5892}}` along with their villages `{{H2691}}` that were part of a territorial allotment. The full list in this verse includes Iron `{{H3375}}`, Migdalel `{{H4027}}`, Horem `{{H2765}}`, Bethanath `{{H1043}}`, and Bethshemesh `{{H1053}}`. This context places Migdal-ʼÊl firmly within a defined geographic and political region during the settlement of the land [[Joshua 19:38]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several other words from its single scriptural appearance provide important context:
* `{{H5892}}` **ʻîyr** (city): This word classifies Migdal-ʼÊl as a "city," defined as a place guarded by a watch or even a mere encampment. It establishes the nature of the settlement as a fortified or significant location [[Joshua 19:38]].
* `{{H2691}}` **châtsêr** (villages): This term, meaning a yard, hamlet, or village, is used in conjunction with Migdal-ʼÊl to describe the smaller, surrounding settlements that belonged to the main city [[Joshua 19:38]]. It is also used poetically to refer to the courts of the LORD's house [[Psalms 84:10]].
* `{{H1043}}` **Bêyth ʻĂnâth** (Beth-anath): Listed alongside Migdal-ʼÊl, this is another place name in Palestine. It is mentioned again as a location whose inhabitants were not driven out by the tribe of Naphtali, but were instead made tributaries [[Judges 1:33]].
### Theological Significance
While mentioned only once, the significance of `{{H4027}}` can be understood through its name and context.
* **Theological Place Naming:** The name itself, "tower of God," suggests a place perceived as having divine protection or significance. It reflects the practice of embedding faith and identity into the geography of the land.
* **Covenantal Inheritance:** Its appearance in [[Joshua 19:38]] places it within the larger narrative of the division of the promised land among the Israelite tribes. Context from other verses indicates these cities were located in the territory of Naphtali [[Judges 1:33]].
* **A Defined Territory:** Migdal-ʼÊl is listed as one of "nineteen cities" `{{H8672}}` `{{H6240}}`, emphasizing that it was part of a specific, counted, and recorded portion of land, highlighting the orderliness of the territorial allotment.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4027}}` **Migdal-ʼÊl** is a specific place name whose meaning, "tower of God," points to a deeper significance. Though it appears only once in a list of cities in Joshua, its context reveals its role as a defined part of the inheritance of the land. It stands as an example of how even the most obscure biblical locations contribute to the detailed record of Israel's history and its relationship with God.
TRV