לוּחִית
Luchith, a place East of the Jordan
Definition
Lûwchîyth (Luchith) is a proper noun referring to a specific location east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the context of divine judgment against the Moabites. In Isaiah 15:5, it is described as a place where fugitives from Moab ascend, weeping, following a prophetic oracle of destruction. The same location appears in Jeremiah 48:5, where the lament for Moab is said to ascend the ascent of Luhith. The name itself is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'board' or 'tablet,' possibly suggesting a place with a flat, table-like terrain or constructed flooring, which may have been a notable landmark or settlement on a slope.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in prophetic literature, specifically in oracles against foreign nations. It appears only twice, in Isaiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:5, both times within poetic descriptions of Moab's downfall. In both passages, Luchith is portrayed as a point of ascent or a route taken by those fleeing devastation, emphasizing the theme of lament and escape. The usage is geographically specific, anchoring the prophecy in a real location to underscore the certainty and tangibility of the coming judgment.
Etymology
The name Lûwchîyth (לוּחִית) is derived from the root לוּחַ (lûach, H3871), meaning a 'board,' 'tablet,' or 'plank.' This root is also the source for words like the tablets of the law (Exodus 31:18) and wooden boards used in construction. The feminine form לֻחוֹת (luchoth) appears in Jeremiah 48:5. The name likely describes a place characterized by flat, board-like surfaces, possibly a terraced hillside, a paved road, or a settlement with such features, indicating its physical topography.
Semantic Range
While Luchith itself is a geographical name, its inclusion in Scripture is theologically significant as part of God's sovereign judgment against the pride and idolatry of Moab, a recurring enemy of Israel. Its mention in both Isaiah and Jeremiah, separated by time, demonstrates the consistency and fulfillment of prophetic revelation. Understanding this specific location enriches Bible reading by showing how God's word engages with real places and histories, affirming that His judgments are not abstract but unfold within human geography and events, calling even foreign nations to account.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, place names often described physical characteristics of the terrain. Luchith, meaning 'boarded' or 'floored,' likely referred to a settlement or path known for its flat, constructed, or slab-like appearance, possibly on a strategic ascent. For the original audience, this name would have immediately conjured a specific, recognizable location, making the prophetic imagery of mourners climbing its slope (Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:5) vivid and concrete, contrasting Moab's former security with its sudden desolation.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. Geographically related terms might include: מוֹאָב (Mô'âb, H4124) — the region/kingdom where Luchith was located; יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — the Jordan River, defining its general location eastward.
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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