The Hebrew word Tsalmôwn, represented by H6756, is defined as shady. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses and is used as a proper name for both a place in Palestine and an Israelite. Its usage points to specific geographical and personal identities within the biblical narrative.
In the biblical narrative, H6756 appears in distinct contexts. It is identified as a geographical location, Mount Zalmon, where Abimelech H40 cut down H3772 a bough from a tree as a signal for his men to follow his lead Judges 9:48. The name is also used for a location called Salmon in a psalm describing a divine victory, where the Almighty H7706 scattered H6566 kings Psalms 68:14. Lastly, it is the name of an individual, Zalmon the Ahohite H266, who is listed in 2 Samuel 23:28.
Several related words provide context for the events associated with Tsalmôwn:
- H2022 har (a mountain or range of hills): This word is used to identify the location in Judges as Mount Zalmon Judges 9:48, setting the stage for Abimelech's actions.
- H3772 kârath (to cut): This verb describes the key action that took place at Mount Zalmon, where Abimelech and his people cut down boughs from trees Judges 9:48.
- H7706 Shadday (the Almighty): This name for God is used in the account of the victory at Salmon, identifying the Almighty as the one who scattered the kings Psalms 68:14.
- H266 ʼĂchôwchîy (an Achochite): This term identifies the lineage or affiliation of the person named Zalmon, marking him as an Ahohite 2 Samuel 23:28.
The significance of H6756 is drawn from the narratives in which it is found.
- A Site of Decisive Action: In Judges 9:48, Mount Zalmon is the backdrop for Abimelech's decisive leadership, where his command to his people H5971 to "make haste H4116, and do H6213 as I have done" unites them in a single military purpose.
- A Witness to Divine Power: The mention of Salmon in Psalms 68:14 associates the location with a powerful act of God, where the Almighty H7706 intervenes to scatter H6566 kings H4428, transforming the scene so it became "white as snow" H7949.
- A Marker of Personal Identity: As a personal name, Zalmon the Ahohite H266 is given a specific identity within the records of Israel, linking the name to a particular individual 2 Samuel 23:28.
In summary, H6756 Tsalmôwn serves as a specific identifier for both a place and a person. Though its appearances are few, they are memorable, linking the name to a mountain associated with a pivotal moment of human leadership, a location that witnessed a display of divine power, and a specific Israelite warrior. It demonstrates how a proper name can ground biblical events in specific geographical and personal contexts.
TRV