עֶבְרֹנָה
Ebronah, place in the Desert
Definition
Ebronah is a proper noun referring to a specific location in the wilderness during the Israelites' exodus journey. It is identified as one of the desert encampments between Mount Hor and Ezion-geber, near the Gulf of Aqabah. The name appears exclusively in the itinerary lists of Numbers 33:34 and 33:35, marking a stop on the way to the Promised Land. Its significance lies primarily in its role as a geographical marker within the narrative of Israel's wilderness wanderings.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Ebronah' is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Numbers (Numbers 33:34, 33:35). It appears within a detailed list of the Israelites' desert encampments after leaving Egypt. The usage is strictly geographical, serving as a place name in a historical travel log with no narrative events attached to it at this location.
Etymology
The name 'Ebronah' (עֶבְרֹנָה) is the feminine form of the word 'Ebron' (עֶבְרֹן, H5683). It is derived from the root עָבַר (ʿāvar), meaning 'to cross over' or 'pass through,' which is the same root for 'Hebrew' (עִבְרִי). This suggests the name may imply a 'crossing point' or 'ford,' possibly relating to its location. The feminine ending (-âh) typically denotes a place name.
Semantic Range
While Ebronah itself is not the site of a major theological event, its inclusion in the itinerary (Numbers 33) holds theological weight. It underscores God's faithfulness in guiding His people step-by-step through the wilderness, documenting their journey as a testament to His providence. Understanding these place names enriches reading by highlighting the historical reality and deliberate path of the Exodus.
As a desert encampment, Ebronah represents the transient, nomadic existence of the Israelites for 40 years. Its name, potentially meaning 'crossing,' would have been a practical geographical identifier for a generation living in tents and constantly on the move. For the original audience, such names anchored their collective memory and national identity in a shared journey ordained by God.
Ezion-geber (ʿEtsyon Geber, H6100) — Another wilderness encampment and port city near Ebronah (Numbers 33:35-36). Kadesh (Qādesh, H6946) — A major oasis and pivotal location in the wilderness wanderings, unlike the minor stop of Ebronah.
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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