חַמַּת
Chammath, a place in Palestine
Definition
Chammath is a proper noun referring to a fortified city in the territory of Naphtali, located in northern Palestine. It is listed among the cities of Naphtali in Joshua 19:35, often identified as a place known for its hot springs, which is suggested by its name. The city is likely the same location referenced elsewhere as Hammath (1 Chronicles 2:55) and is associated with the later Hellenistic city of Tiberias, situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its inclusion in the tribal allotment highlights its strategic and economic importance in the region.
Biblical Usage
The word Chammath is used only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Joshua 19:35, within a list of fortified cities given to the tribe of Naphtali. This context places it as a significant settlement in the tribal inheritance during the conquest and settlement period. No other direct biblical usage exists, though related names like Hammath appear in other passages, such as in 1 Chronicles 2:55, possibly referring to the same or a nearby location.
Etymology
Chammath derives from the Hebrew root חמם (ḥmm), meaning 'to be hot.' It is a variation of the first part of Chammath Dor (חַמֹּת דֹּאר, H2576), which means 'hot springs of Dor.' The name directly reflects the presence of thermal springs in the area, a common feature in the region around the Sea of Galilee. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to heat or warmth, emphasizing the geographical characteristic that likely gave the place its name.
Semantic Range
As a geographical proper noun, Chammath itself does not carry direct theological significance. However, its mention in Joshua 19:35 as part of God's faithful distribution of the Promised Land to the tribe of Naphtali underscores themes of divine provision, inheritance, and the fulfillment of covenant promises. Understanding its location enriches the historical context of Israel's settlement and God's guidance in establishing the tribes in their allotted territories.
In its original cultural setting, Chammath was understood as a fortified city, indicative of its role in defense and community life within ancient Israel. The association with hot springs suggests it was also a site of practical and possibly ritual significance, as thermal waters were often valued for healing and hygiene in the ancient Near East. This differs from a modern understanding that might overlook such natural features in place names.
Hammath (Hammath, H2575) — alternate spelling/variant of the same place name; Chammath Dor (Chammath Dor, H2576) — a related location name meaning 'hot springs of Dor.'
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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