The Hebrew name Bôhan, represented by H932, identifies an Israelite. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its scriptural significance is tied exclusively to a specific landmark, "the stone of Bohan," which serves as a boundary marker in the allotment of tribal lands described in the book of Joshua.
In the biblical narrative, H932 is used to identify a prominent stone that functions as a survey marker. This stone, named for Bohan the son of Reuben, plays a key role in defining territorial borders. The boundary line is described as having "went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben" Joshua 15:6. In a subsequent description, the border "descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben" Joshua 18:17. These references establish the stone as a fixed and important point in the landscape for mapping the inheritance of the Israelite tribes.
Several related words help clarify the context and importance of this landmark:
- H68 ʼeben (a stone): This is the object named after Bohan. It is referenced as "the stone of Bohan" in both of its occurrences (Joshua 15:6, Joshua 18:17). Elsewhere, a stone is used as a memorial, such as the one Samuel named Ebenezer 1 Samuel 7:12.
- H1121 bên (a son): This word establishes Bohan's lineage, identifying him as the "son of Reuben" Joshua 15:6. The relationship between a father and son is central to identity and inheritance in scripture.
- H7205 Rᵉʼûwbên (Reuben): The stone is explicitly tied to the tribe of Reuben, a son of Jacob Joshua 18:17. This connects the landmark directly to one of Israel's foundational tribes.
- H1366 gᵉbûwl (border): This term defines the purpose of the landmark. The narrative states that "the border went up" to the stone of Bohan, marking the limits of the territory Joshua 15:6.
The significance of H932 is primarily geographical and historical, marking a key point in the division of the promised land.
- Boundary Marker: The "stone of Bohan" serves as a permanent, physical marker to delineate the border H1366 between tribal allotments. This was a critical part of establishing the nation of Israel as foretold Joshua 15:6.
- Link to Lineage: By identifying the stone with "Bohan the son H1121 of Reuben H7205," scripture grounds the geographical boundary in personal and tribal history, linking the land directly to the people to whom it was given Joshua 18:17.
- Symbol of Permanence: The use of a stone H68 as the marker implies a lasting and unchanging testimony. Like other memorial stones in scripture, the stone of Bohan was intended to be a fixed reference point for future generations.
In summary, H932 Bôhan is significant not as a character in a narrative, but as the namesake of a crucial geographical landmark. The stone of Bohan functions as a tangible anchor for the tribal borders assigned in the book of Joshua. It illustrates how personal names and physical objects were used to create enduring records of lineage, inheritance, and the fulfillment of God's promises concerning the land.
TRV