from עִיר and the plural of תָּמָר with the article interpolated; city of the palmtrees; Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine; the city of palmtrees.
Transliteration:ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym
Pronunciation:eer hat-tem-aw-reem'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H5899, עִיר הַתְּמָרִים (ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym), is a compound noun phrase literally meaning "city of the palm trees." It is derived from `{{H5892}}` (ʻiyr), "city," and the plural form of `{{H8558}}` (tāmār), "palm tree," with the definite article ha- ("the") interpolated. This phrase functions as a proper geographical designation, specifically identifying the city of Jericho. Its semantic range is narrow, serving primarily as a descriptive epithet for this particular urban center, highlighting a prominent natural feature of its environment – the abundance of date palms. It thus serves as a geographical marker that communicates both location and a distinctive characteristic of that place.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The phrase ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym occurs four times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to Jericho and emphasizing its characteristic flora:
* **[[Deuteronomy 34:3]]**: In the account of Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, the Lord shows him "the Negeb and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar." Here, the phrase serves to precisely identify Jericho within the broader geographical panorama, underscoring its unique natural feature visible even from a distance.
* **[[Judges 1:16]]**: "The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the city of palm trees with the people of Judah to the wilderness of Judah, which is in the Negeb near Arad." This verse indicates Jericho as a significant point of departure or a region associated with the Kenites, further solidifying its identification as "the city of palm trees."
* **[[Judges 3:13]]**: "He [Eglon, king of Moab] gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and he went and struck Israel and took possession of the city of palm trees." This passage describes a period of foreign oppression where Jericho, known by its distinctive epithet, falls under the control of Moab, highlighting its strategic importance as a fertile and key location.
* **[[2 Chronicles 28:15]]**: After a victory over Judah, the Ephraimites, acting on the prophet Oded's instruction, "took the captives and clothed all who were naked among them from the spoil. They clothed them and gave them sandals, and fed them and gave them drink, and carried all the feeble among them on donkeys; then they brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their kinsfolk." Here, the phrase again identifies Jericho as the destination for the returning captives, emphasizing its enduring identity despite the changing fortunes of war.
Across all occurrences, the phrase consistently points to Jericho, establishing its identity through a prominent natural feature. This consistent usage suggests that "the city of palm trees" was a well-known and enduring descriptor for Jericho, indicating its lush, oasis-like environment in contrast to the surrounding arid regions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H5899 naturally connects to several related linguistic and conceptual elements:
* `{{H5892}}` (ʻiyr): The common Hebrew word for "city" or "town." Its inclusion in the phrase grounds the designation in the concept of an urban center, distinguishing Jericho from a mere collection of trees or a natural grove.
* `{{H8558}}` (tāmār): The Hebrew word for "palm tree" or "date palm." Palm trees, especially date palms, were highly valued in the ancient Near East for their fruit, shade, timber, and fibers. They often symbolized fertility, prosperity, and even righteousness (e.g., [[Psalm 92:12]]). The presence of "palm trees" in the city's epithet points to its natural richness and potential for abundance.
* **Jericho**: The city itself is profoundly significant in biblical narratives. It was the first city conquered by Joshua and the Israelites upon entering Canaan ([[Joshua 6]]), marking a pivotal moment in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Later, it became a priestly city and a place of prophetic activity (e.g., Elisha in [[2 Kings 2:4-5]]).
* **Oasis environments**: The descriptor "city of palm trees" immediately evokes the image of an oasis, a fertile area in a desert or semi-arid region. This highlights the unique ecological niche of Jericho, sustained by springs, making it a desirable and strategic location.
* **Toponymy**: The study of place names. ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym is an example of a descriptive toponym, where a place is named after a prominent natural feature. This practice is common in biblical geography and provides insight into the ancient perception and characterization of locations.
### Theological Significance
While ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym is primarily a geographical descriptor, its consistent application to Jericho imbues it with theological resonance:
1. **Divine Provision and the Promised Land**: The designation "city of palm trees" speaks to the natural abundance and fertility of the land of Canaan, a land promised by God to Israel. The lushness implied by the palm trees contrasts with the wilderness, serving as a tangible sign of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promise to bring His people into a land "flowing with milk and honey" ([[Exodus 3:8]]). Even at the edge of the wilderness, Jericho represented this promised fruitfulness.
2. **Strategic Importance in Salvation History**: Jericho, as the "city of palm trees," was the first major stronghold encountered by Israel in Canaan. Its conquest, detailed in [[Joshua 6]], was a powerful demonstration of God's miraculous power and faithfulness to His covenant. The name, therefore, is tied to a foundational event in Israel's history of redemption, where God fought for His people.
3. **Symbol of Enduring Identity**: Despite the city's destruction, rebuilding, and various occupations throughout Israelite history, its defining characteristic as "the city of palm trees" remained. This suggests that certain places hold an enduring identity, often tied to God's original design for them or their role in His unfolding plan. Even in times of judgment or foreign rule, the land's inherent fertility, a gift from God, persisted.
4. **A Place of Both Judgment and Restoration**: Jericho's story is one of both divine judgment (its fall) and later, a place of resettlement and return (e.g., in the post-exilic period, and as a destination for returning captives in [[2 Chronicles 28:15]]). The enduring name "city of palm trees" thus encompasses this duality, signifying a place where God's justice and His restorative grace are both manifest.
### Summary
H5899, עִיר הַתְּמָרִים (ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym), is a precise and descriptive Hebrew phrase meaning "city of the palm trees," consistently used in the biblical text to refer to Jericho. This epithet highlights Jericho's distinctive natural feature – its abundance of date palms – which characterized it as a fertile oasis in the Jordan Valley. Occurring in key historical narratives from the entry into Canaan to periods of foreign occupation and return, the phrase serves as a consistent geographical marker. Theologically, "the city of palm trees" underscores God's provision for His people in the Promised Land, the strategic importance of Jericho in the unfolding of salvation history, and the enduring identity of a place intimately connected to divine action, embodying themes of both judgment and restoration.
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