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.
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.
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.
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.
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