דִּקְלָה
Diklah, a region of Arabia
Definition
Diklah is a proper noun referring to a region or people group in Arabia, mentioned in the genealogical records of Genesis and 1 Chronicles. In Genesis 10:27 and 1 Chronicles 1:21, Diklah is listed as a descendant of Joktan, a son of Eber, placing him within the Semitic lineage that populated the Arabian Peninsula. The name is associated with a specific territory, likely known for its date palms, as suggested by a potential linguistic connection to the Hebrew word for 'date palm' (deqel). As a geographical name, it signifies one of the many clans or regions that emerged from the descendants of Shem after the dispersion at Babel.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively in two Old Testament genealogical lists, both detailing the descendants of Shem through Joktan. It appears in Genesis 10:27 within the 'Table of Nations' and is repeated in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:21. Its usage is strictly as a proper name for a person/place, with no narrative context or descriptive action attached. This pattern is typical for many names in these chapters, which serve to map the known world of the ancient Near East from an Israelite perspective.
Etymology
The etymology of Diklah (דִּקְלָה) is considered of foreign or uncertain origin. However, many scholars propose a connection to the Hebrew root ד־ק־ל (d-q-l), related to the word 'deqel' (דֶּקֶל), meaning 'date palm.' This suggests the name may mean 'palm grove' or 'region of palms,' a fitting description for an area in Arabia. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages, like Aramaic 'diqlā’' and Akkadian 'diqlaɾu,' also meaning 'date palm.' The name likely originated as a geographical descriptor for a fertile, palm-producing area.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically central term, Diklah's inclusion in the Genesis 10 genealogy is significant. It underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereign ordering of nations and peoples after the flood and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). As part of the Semitic line leading to Abraham, these records trace the lineage through which God's covenant promises would flow. Understanding these names as real places and peoples affirms the historical reality of Scripture's grand narrative of redemption, rooting it in the concrete geography and families of the ancient world.
In its original context, 'Diklah' would have been recognized by ancient Israelites as the name of a specific Arabian tribe or territory, possibly renowned for date palm cultivation—a vital economic resource. Listing such names in Genesis 10 served to identify Israel's neighbors and situate them within a divinely orchestrated world map. For modern readers, these names can seem like obscure lists, but for the original audience, they cataloged the known nations, often defining relationships (allies, traders, or potential adversaries) with Israel.
Tema (Têmâ’, H8485) — Another Joktanite tribe/region in Arabia (Genesis 10:26-27). Sheba (Shᵉvâ’, H7614) — A prominent Joktanite descendant and wealthy Arabian region (Genesis 10:28).
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.
Full methodology & sources →