### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼAllammelek**, represented by `{{H487}}`, is the name of **a place in Palestine; Alammelech**. It appears just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. The name itself is a compound derived from the words for "oak" and "king," giving it the meaning **oak of (the) king**.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H487}}` is found in the description of the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher. It is listed as a specific location that helps define the tribe's border, appearing alongside other towns and landmarks. The full boundary description states, "And **Alammelech**, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath" [[Joshua 19:26]]. Its mention is purely geographical, establishing a concrete point in the division of the Promised Land.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several other place names and terms are listed in the same verse, providing geographical context for Alammelech:
* `{{H6008}}` **ʻAmʻâd** (people of time; Amad, a place in Palestine): This is another town listed immediately with Alammelech, helping to pinpoint its location within the tribal inheritance of Asher [[Joshua 19:26]].
* `{{H4861}}` **Mishʼâl** (request; Mishal, a place in Palestine): Mentioned in the same breath as Alammelech, this city further defines the boundary line for the tribe of Asher [[Joshua 19:26]].
* `{{H3760}}` **Karmel** (Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in Palestine): This prominent landmark serves as a major point of reference for the boundary that includes Alammelech, defining its western extent [[Joshua 19:26]].
* `{{H3220}}` **yâm** (a sea... locally, the west): This word is used directionally in the passage, indicating that the boundary including Alammelech reached "to Carmel **westward**" [[Joshua 19:26]].
* `{{H7884}}` **Shîychôwr Libnâth** (darkish whiteness; Shichor-Libnath, a stream of Palestine): This stream is the final landmark mentioned in the sequence, marking the end of this particular boundary line [[Joshua 19:26]].
### Theological Significance
While not a term with extensive theological development, the existence and naming of `{{H487}}` carry significance.
* **Inheritance and Boundaries:** The primary role of `{{H487}}` is to serve as a marker for the land promised and allotted to the tribes of Israel. Its inclusion in the list for Asher demonstrates the detailed fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land.
* **Royal and Natural Imagery:** The name itself, meaning **oak of (the) king**, combines imagery of strength and stability (oak) with sovereignty (king). This suggests the location may have been known for a significant landmark or had a historical association with local authority.
* **Geographic Specificity:** The mention of Alammelech underscores the historical and geographical reality of the biblical account, grounding the narrative of the settlement in a specific, named location within Palestine [[Joshua 19:26]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H487}}` is a specific geographical place name, **Alammelech**, whose meaning, **oak of (the) king**, suggests a site of local importance. Its single appearance in scripture is crucial for defining the precise boundaries of the land inheritance for the tribe of Asher. While not a major theological term, its inclusion in the biblical record highlights God's faithfulness in allotting the Promised Land with tangible, identifiable borders.
TRV