or עַצְמֹן; from עֶצֶם; bone-like; Atsmon, a place near Palestine; Azmon.
Transliteration:ʻAtsmôwn
Pronunciation:ats-mone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6111}}` (ʻAtsmôwn), transliterated as Atsmon or Azmon, is primarily a proper noun designating a specific geographical location. Its etymological root is derived from `{{H6106}}` (ʻetsem), which means "bone," "essence," or "body." The base definition provided, "bone-like," suggests a connection to the solidity, structure, or intrinsic nature implied by its root. As a place name, ʻAtsmôwn does not possess a broad semantic range in the way a common noun or verb might. Instead, its meaning is intrinsically tied to its identity as a fixed landmark. The "bone-like" quality could allude to a prominent, perhaps rocky or enduring, feature of the landscape, or metaphorically to its role as a foundational or essential marker of a boundary.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ʻAtsmôwn appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently in passages delineating the geographical boundaries of the land of Israel. Its occurrences underscore its significance as a crucial landmark for defining the southern border.
1. **[[Numbers 34:4]]**: "And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin, and its going forth shall be to the south of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to ʻAtsmôwn." Here, ʻAtsmôwn is presented as a point along the southern boundary of the land promised to the Israelites, following Kadesh-barnea and Hazar-addar. This verse is part of God's direct instruction to Moses regarding the precise borders of Canaan, emphasizing divine oversight in the allocation of territory.
2. **[[Numbers 34:5]]**: "And the border shall turn from ʻAtsmôwn to the Brook of Egypt, and its termination shall be at the sea." This verse continues the description of the southern border, showing ʻAtsmôwn as a pivot point from which the boundary extends westward to the Wadi of Egypt (often identified with the modern Wadi el-Arish) and then to the Mediterranean Sea. Its inclusion in such a detailed, divinely mandated description highlights its importance as an identifiable and fixed landmark.
3. **[[Ezekiel 47:19]]**: "And the south side southward, from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the Brook of Egypt, and to the Great Sea. This is the south side southward." While ʻAtsmôwn is not explicitly named in this particular verse, it is implied as part of the overall southern border described in Ezekiel's vision of the redistributed land. The subsequent verse, [[Ezekiel 48:28]], clarifies its role.
4. **[[Ezekiel 48:28]]**: "And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the Brook of Egypt, and to the Great Sea. This is the south side." In the Septuagint and some Hebrew manuscripts, ʻAtsmôwn is present in this verse, aligning with the description in Numbers. Even where not explicitly present, the geographical points mentioned (Tamar, Meribath-kadesh, Brook of Egypt) strongly suggest the same southern boundary line where ʻAtsmôwn played a pivotal role in the earlier account. Its reappearance in Ezekiel's prophetic vision underscores its enduring significance as a marker for the divinely allotted inheritance.
Across its occurrences, ʻAtsmôwn consistently functions as a geographical marker, defining the precise limits of the Promised Land. It is not associated with specific historical events or narratives, but rather with the foundational act of land distribution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for ʻAtsmôwn is its root, `{{H6106}}` (ʻetsem), meaning "bone, essence, self, or body." This root suggests inherent strength, solidity, or the core nature of something. For a place named "bone-like," it could imply a location characterized by its enduring, unyielding, or foundational quality, perhaps a rocky or prominent geological feature that serves as a natural, unmovable boundary.
Other related concepts include:
* **Boundaries (`{{H1366}}` gebul, `{{H4550}}` masger)**: ʻAtsmôwn is an integral part of the divinely ordained gebul (boundary) of the land. The meticulous detailing of these borders emphasizes their sacred and inviolable nature.
* **Inheritance (`{{H5159}}` nachalah)**: The land itself is God's nachalah (inheritance) to His people. ʻAtsmôwn, as a boundary marker, defines the extent of this divine gift.
* **Precision and Order**: The detailed enumeration of the borders, including ʻAtsmôwn, reflects God's precise and orderly nature in His dealings with humanity and His creation.
### Theological Significance
While ʻAtsmôwn itself is a geographical name without direct theological discourse attached to it, its consistent appearance in boundary descriptions lends it significant theological weight by association.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**: The recurring mention of ʻAtsmôwn as a fixed point in the southern border in both the historical account of Numbers and the prophetic vision of Ezekiel underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the land and its allocation. It testifies to His faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel by providing a clearly defined and secure inheritance. The very act of meticulously detailing these boundaries demonstrates God's intentionality and precision in His plans.
2. **The Defined Scope of Inheritance**: The presence of ʻAtsmôwn defines the physical limits of Israel's promised inheritance. This teaches that God's blessings, while abundant, are often given within specific parameters. The boundaries are not arbitrary but divinely appointed, signifying the sacred space that God set apart for His people.
3. **Enduring Foundation**: The "bone-like" etymology, though speculative for a place name, could subtly hint at the enduring and foundational nature of these divinely established borders. Just as bones provide structure and permanence to a body, so ʻAtsmôwn contributes to the fixed and unchangeable nature of God's land grant. Even in Ezekiel's vision, centuries later, the same landmarks define the renewed inheritance, speaking to the permanence of God's word.
### Summary
ʻAtsmôwn (`{{H6111}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a place name etymologically derived from `{{H6106}}` ("bone, essence"), suggesting a "bone-like" or enduring quality. Biblically, it functions exclusively as a crucial landmark defining the southern boundary of the Promised Land, appearing in [[Numbers 34:4-5]] and [[Ezekiel 47:19]] (implied) and [[Ezekiel 48:28]]. Its consistent role as a fixed border marker highlights God's precision, faithfulness, and sovereignty in granting and delineating the inheritance for Israel. Though not a site of specific theological events, ʻAtsmôwn serves as a tangible testament to the enduring and divinely ordained nature of God's promises and the defined scope of His blessings.
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