בֵּית דִּבְלָתַיִם
Beth-Diblathajim, a place East of the Jordan
Definition
Beth-Diblathaim is a place name meaning 'house of the two fig cakes,' located east of the Jordan River in the territory of Moab. It is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Jeremiah 48:22, within a prophetic oracle of judgment against Moab. The name likely refers to a specific town or settlement known for its production of dried fig cakes, a common foodstuff in the ancient Near East. Its inclusion in Jeremiah's list of Moabite cities signifies its destruction as part of God's judgment.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used a single time in the Old Testament, in the prophetic book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:22). It appears in a specific literary context: a lengthy oracle detailing the coming devastation of the nation of Moab. The word functions as one entry in a list of Moabite cities and towns that will face ruin, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'Beth' (H1004, בַּיִת), meaning 'house' or 'household,' and 'Diblathayim,' which is the dual form of 'debelah' (H1690, דְּבֵלָה), meaning 'fig cake.' The dual form ('-ayim') indicates 'two fig cakes.' Thus, the name translates literally to 'house of the two fig cakes,' suggesting a place associated with the production or trade of this food item.
Semantic Range
While the place name itself is not theologically loaded, its context in Jeremiah 48 is significant. Its mention underscores the biblical theme that God's judgment is thorough and extends to all places within a rebellious nation. Understanding the name's meaning—'house of fig cakes'—adds a layer of poignancy; it represents the destruction of ordinary, productive life and sustenance as a consequence of national sin against God.
Fig cakes were a portable, preserved food made from pressed figs, important for travel and trade. A town named for this product was likely an agricultural center. The use of the dual form ('two fig cakes') in the name is unusual and may refer to a specific local landmark, trade measure, or tradition that is now lost to us. This highlights how place names often originated from everyday economic or geographic features.
No direct synonyms as a proper noun. Related toponyms in the same oracle include: Dibon (H1769) — a major Moabite city; Nebo (H5015) — a mountain and town.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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