לֵכָה

Lekah, a place in Palestine

Definition

Lekah is a proper noun referring to a location in ancient Palestine, mentioned only once in the Bible. The name itself means 'a journey' or 'a walking,' derived from the Hebrew root for 'to go.' It is listed among the descendants of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:21 as a place associated with the clan of Shelah. As a geographical name, it signifies a specific settlement or region within the tribal territory of Judah, though its exact location remains uncertain to modern archaeology.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:21. It appears in a genealogical list detailing the posterity of Judah, specifically within the lineage of Shelah. The context is purely geographical and genealogical, serving to locate a clan or family group within the tribal allotments of Israel. There are no other usages or contextual patterns, as it is a single-instance proper noun.

Etymology

The name Lekah (לֵכָה) is derived from the Hebrew root יָלַךְ (yālaḵ, H3212), meaning 'to go, walk, journey.' It is a nominal form implying 'a walking' or 'a journey,' likely used metaphorically to denote a place one journeys to or a settlement. It shares this root with common verbs for movement and travel throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Semantic Range

As a place name, 'Lekah' reflects the ancient Israelite practice of naming locations based on events, characteristics, or familial associations. The meaning ('journey') might commemorate a migration, a founding event, or a route. Its inclusion in a tribal genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:21) underscores the deep connection between family identity, clan history, and specific parcels of land in ancient Israelite culture.

No direct synonyms exist as it is a unique proper noun. Related are other place names derived from verbs of movement, such as Masa (מַסָּע, H4709) — 'a departure' from נָסַע (nāsaʿ, 'to journey').

Word Details

Scripture References