עַלְמוֹן

Almon, a place in Palestine

Definition

Almon is a proper noun referring to a specific town in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, given to the Levites as a priestly city. It is listed among the cities assigned to the priests, the sons of Aaron (Joshua 21:18). The name itself means 'hidden' or 'concealed,' which may describe its geographical location. This location is also referred to as Alemeth in 1 Chronicles 6:60, which is a variant spelling of the same place.

Biblical Usage

The word עַלְמוֹן (Almon) is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 21:18, within a list of cities given to the Levitical priests from the tribe of Benjamin. Its usage is purely geographical and administrative, detailing the allotment of land following the Israelite conquest of Canaan. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it is a single-occurrence proper name.

Etymology

The name עַלְמוֹן (Almon) is derived from the Hebrew root עָלַם (ʿālam, H5956), meaning 'to hide' or 'to conceal.' It is a noun form meaning 'hidden thing' or 'hidden place.' A related form is עַלְמֹן דִּבְלָתָיְמָה (Almon Diblathaymāh, H5963), another place name meaning 'hidden thing of two fig cakes,' found in the book of Numbers.

Semantic Range

As a Levitical city, Almon was part of a system where the priestly tribe of Levi, which received no large tribal territory, was given specific towns scattered among the other tribes (Joshua 21). This ensured the Levites' presence and religious instruction throughout Israel. The name 'hidden' might reflect a secluded or less prominent location, which is fitting for a town supporting the religious, rather than political or military, life of the nation.

עַלְמֶת (ʿAlmeth, H5964) — A variant spelling for the same Levitical city, used in 1 Chronicles 6:60.

Word Details

Scripture References