from עִיר and מֶלַח with the article of substance interp.; city of (the) salt; Irham-Melach, a place near Palestine; the city of salt.
Transliteration:ʻÎyr ham-Melach
Pronunciation:eer ham-meh'-lakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma עִיר הַמֶּלַח (ʻÎyr ham-Melach, `{{H5898}}`) is a compound geographical designation, literally translating to "City of the Salt" or "City of Salt." It is formed from two distinct Hebrew nouns: עִיר (ʻîr, `{{H5892}}`), meaning "city," "town," or "settlement," and מֶלַח (melach, `{{H4417}}`), meaning "salt." The definite article הַ (ha), placed before מֶלַח, specifies "the salt," suggesting a particular, known source or characteristic of salt in that location. Therefore, the phrase refers to a specific urban center characterized by its proximity to or association with salt, likely either salt deposits, salt pans, or the highly saline waters of the Dead Sea, often referred to as the "Salt Sea" (יָם הַמֶּלַח). Its semantic range is strictly topographical, identifying a unique place name within the ancient Israelite landscape.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The designation עִיר הַמֶּלַח (ʻÎyr ham-Melach, `{{H5898}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the detailed tribal allotments described in the book of Joshua.
* **[[Joshua 15:62]]**: "And Nibshan, and the City of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages."
This verse is found within the extensive list of cities allocated to the tribe of Judah. Specifically, it is part of the enumeration of towns situated in the wilderness region of Judah. This wilderness area stretches eastward from the central hill country towards the Dead Sea. The inclusion of "the City of Salt" alongside other known wilderness settlements like Engedi (Ein Gedi), which is located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, firmly places עִיר הַמֶּלַח in this arid, saline environment. The name itself serves as a descriptive marker, indicating that the city's identity was intrinsically linked to the abundant salt resources or the saline nature of the surrounding landscape, characteristic of the Dead Sea basin. Its singular occurrence underscores its function as a specific geographical landmark rather than a broader conceptual term.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of עִיר הַמֶּלַח are עִיר (`{{H5892}}`), "city," and מֶלַח (`{{H4417}}`), "salt."
* עִיר (`{{H5892}}`) is a foundational term in biblical geography, referring to fortified settlements, towns, and cities, which served as centers of population, commerce, and administration. Its presence here simply denotes a human habitation.
* מֶלַח (`{{H4417}}`), "salt," carries significant literal and symbolic weight in the Bible. Literally, it was essential for seasoning food ([[Job 6:6]]), preserving ([[Exodus 30:35]]), and as a component of sacrificial offerings ([[Leviticus 2:13]]). Symbolically, salt could represent permanence and fidelity (a "covenant of salt," [[Numbers 18:19]], [[2 Chronicles 13:5]]), barrenness or desolation ([[Deuteronomy 29:23]], [[Judges 9:45]]), or wisdom and purity ([[Colossians 4:6]]). In the context of עִיר הַמֶּלַח, the literal geographical association with salt deposits or the Dead Sea is paramount.
* The most direct geographical relation is to יָם הַמֶּלַח (Yam ha-Melach), the "Salt Sea" or Dead Sea, which is frequently mentioned as a prominent landmark in the tribal boundaries ([[Genesis 14:3]], [[Numbers 34:3]], [[Deuteronomy 3:17]], [[Joshua 3:16]]). The "City of Salt" would have been situated in close proximity to this highly saline body of water.
* Concepts related to this place name include the wilderness (מִדְבָּר, `{{H4057}}`), tribal inheritance (נַחֲלָה, `{{H5159}}`), and the precise delineation of land promised by God to Israel.
### Theological Significance
As a specific geographical place name, עִיר הַמֶּלַח (ʻÎyr ham-Melach, `{{H5898}}`) holds indirect but profound theological significance. Its inclusion in the meticulous inventory of Judah's inheritance in [[Joshua 15:62]] underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18-21]]). The detailed enumeration of cities, even those in seemingly desolate regions like the wilderness of Judah, testifies to the divine precision and sovereignty in the allocation of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel.
The name "City of Salt" itself, while primarily descriptive of its environment, subtly connects to the broader biblical understanding of salt. While not explicitly used here for symbolic purposes, the association with a region known for its stark, sometimes barren, landscape (like the area around the Dead Sea, often linked to divine judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah) serves as a reminder of the diverse and challenging terrains that comprised the inheritance. It highlights that God's provision extended even to the less fertile or more arduous parts of the land, demonstrating His comprehensive care for His people. The existence of a "city" in such an environment also speaks to human resilience and adaptation within God's creation.
### Summary
עִיר הַמֶּלַח (ʻÎyr ham-Melach, `{{H5898}}`) is a unique Hebrew place name, literally meaning "City of Salt." This designation appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Joshua 15:62]], where it is listed among the cities allocated to the tribe of Judah in the wilderness region. Its name directly reflects its geographical context, likely referring to a settlement situated near significant salt deposits or the highly saline Dead Sea, often called the "Salt Sea" (יָם הַמֶּלַח). The word study reveals it as a specific topographical marker, emphasizing the detailed and precise nature of the land distribution to the Israelite tribes, a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. While primarily descriptive, its inclusion in the sacred text underscores the divine order in the allocation of the Promised Land, even in its more challenging and arid territories.
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