### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻÎyôwn**, represented by `{{H5859}}`, means **ruin** and refers to **Ijon, a place in Palestine**. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible. All occurrences identify it as a city in the northern region of Israel that was subject to military conquest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H5859}}` is consistently mentioned as a target during military campaigns against the kingdom of Israel. It first appears when Ben-Hadad `{{H1130}}`, king of Syria, heeding the request of King Asa `{{H609}}`, **smote** `{{H5221}}` **Ijon** and other cities in the land of Naphtali `{{H5321}}`, including Dan `{{H1835}}` and Abel-beth-maachah `{{H62}}` [[1 Kings 15:20]]. Later, during the reign of Pekah `{{H6492}}`, the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser `{{H8407}}` **took** `{{H3947}}` **Ijon** as part of a larger invasion that resulted in the capture of Galilee `{{H1551}}`, Gilead `{{H1568}}`, and all the land of Naphtali, after which the inhabitants were **carried captive** `{{H1540}}` to Assyria [[2 Kings 15:29]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the events surrounding Ijon:
* `{{H1130}}` **Ben-Hădad** (son of Hadad): The Syrian king who, at the request of King Asa of Judah, attacked **Ijon** and other northern cities of Israel ([[1 Kings 15:20]], [[2 Chronicles 16:4]]).
* `{{H8407}}` **Tiglath Pilʼeçer** (Tiglath-pileser): The king of Assyria who conquered **Ijon** and numerous other cities and territories, carrying the people of Israel into captivity [[2 Kings 15:29]].
* `{{H5321}}` **Naphtâlîy** (Naphtali): The tribe and territory where **Ijon** was located. This region was the primary target in the military campaigns that involved the city ([[1 Kings 15:20]], [[2 Kings 15:29]]).
* `{{H5221}}` **nâkâh** (to strike, smite): This verb describes the action taken against **Ijon** and its neighboring cities by Ben-Hadad's armies, signifying a violent military assault ([[1 Kings 15:20]], [[2 Chronicles 16:4]]).
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H5859}}` is rooted in its historical role as a site of conflict and judgment.
* **Strategic Vulnerability:** Ijon's location in the far north made it one of the first cities to fall during invasions from Syria and Assyria, illustrating the vulnerability of Israel's borders ([[1 Kings 15:20]], [[2 Kings 15:29]]).
* **Consequences of Alliances:** The first attack on Ijon was the direct result of King Asa's political alliance with Ben-Hadad, a foreign power, against the northern kingdom of Israel, demonstrating the destructive outcomes of such pacts [[1 Kings 15:20]].
* **Foretaste of Exile:** The capture of Ijon by Tiglath-pileser was a key event in the systematic dismantling of the northern kingdom, culminating in its people being **carried captive** `{{H1540}}`, a tangible fulfillment of divine judgment through foreign conquest [[2 Kings 15:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5859}}` is more than a geographical name; it is a symbol of ruin and a witness to a turbulent period in Israel's history. Its consistent appearance in accounts of invasion highlights the persistent military threats faced by the northern kingdom. The fate of Ijon serves as a historical marker for the consequences of political maneuvering and, ultimately, the exile of the people of Israel.
TRV