The Hebrew phrase ʼAllôwn Bâkûwth, represented by H439, translates to oak of weeping. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. This name designates a specific, monumental tree that serves as a marker for a place of burial and sorrow.
The sole appearance of H439 is in Genesis 35:8, where it marks the burial place of Deborah H1683, the nurse H3243 of Rebekah H7259. After she died H4191, she was buried H6912 under an oak H437 located beneath Bethel H1008. The name H8034 of the tree was then called H7121 Allonbachuth H439 to commemorate the event.
Several related words provide context for this unique place name:
- H437 ʼallôwn ({an oak or other strong tree}; oak): This word forms the first part of the name. It is the specific tree under which Deborah was buried, giving the location its physical landmark Genesis 35:8.
- H1683 Dᵉbôwrâh (Deborah, the name of two Hebrewesses; Deborah): This is the name of the individual whose death prompted the naming of the tree. The burial of Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, is the central event of the passage Genesis 35:8.
- H1008 Bêyth-ʼÊl (house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine; Beth-el): This place name establishes the location of the event. The oak of weeping is situated "beneath Bethel," linking a moment of human sorrow to a site of divine importance Genesis 35:8.
The theological weight of H439 is found in its context as a memorial.
- Memorialization through Naming: The act of giving a place a name H8034 based on an event is a significant theme. Allon-bachuth serves as a permanent memorial, embedding the story of grief into the landscape itself Genesis 35:8.
- Significance of Place: The tree is not in an arbitrary location but is explicitly tied to Bethel H1008, the "house of God." This connects the very human experience of loss and weeping with a place renowned for divine encounters, as when God commanded Jacob to return there Genesis 35:1.
- The Weight of Sorrow: The name directly incorporates weeping, acknowledging the grief surrounding the death H4191 of a significant person, Deborah H1683. It shows that mourning for a beloved nurse H3243 was a notable event worthy of commemoration.
In summary, ʼAllôwn Bâkûwth H439 is more than just the name of a tree; it is a monument of sorrow. Appearing only once, it marks the burial site of Deborah, Rebekah's nurse Genesis 35:8. The name, meaning "oak of weeping," powerfully demonstrates the biblical practice of creating lasting memorials by naming places, permanently linking a specific location to a significant human experience of grief and remembrance.
TRV