יַבְנֶה
Jabneh, a place in Palestine
Definition
Yabneh (Jabneh) is a proper noun referring to a Philistine city located on the coastal plain of ancient Palestine, near the Mediterranean Sea. It is mentioned in the context of King Uzziah's military campaigns, where he broke down its walls (2 Chronicles 26:6). Historically, after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, it became a significant center for Jewish scholarship and the seat of the Sanhedrin, though this later development is not recorded in the biblical text. The single biblical reference presents it as a fortified Philistine settlement conquered by Judah.
Biblical Usage
The word Yabneh is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 26:6. It appears in a military context as one of the Philistine cities (alongside Gath and Ashdod) whose walls were destroyed by King Uzziah of Judah during a period of national strength and expansion. Its usage is strictly as a geographical proper noun identifying a specific location.
Etymology
Yabneh derives from the Hebrew root בָּנָה (bānâ, H1129), meaning 'to build.' The name likely means 'He (God) builds' or 'building,' suggesting it was an established, constructed settlement. This etymology is shared with related place names and personal names built on the same productive root.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a place name, its single biblical occurrence in 2 Chronicles 26:6 is theologically significant as part of a narrative demonstrating God's blessing on a faithful king. Uzziah's success, including the conquest of Jabneh, is directly linked to his obedience to God (2 Chronicles 26:5). The event illustrates the theme of divine empowerment for national defense and expansion under righteous leadership, a key concept in the Chronicler's history.
In its biblical context, Yabneh was a Philistine city, representing one of the traditional enemies of Israel situated on the coastal plain. Its fortifications (walls) indicate it was a significant military and administrative center. The conquest by Judah's king signified a reversal of Philistine dominance and a projection of Judahite power, which would have been a notable cultural and political achievement for the kingdom.
None directly synonymous as a proper noun. Geographically related terms include Philistine city names like: עַשְׁדּוֹד (Ashdod, H795) — another major Philistine city conquered by Uzziah; גַּת (Gath, H1661) — a prominent Philistine city often mentioned in conflict with Israel.
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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