Lahmam
Lahmam is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Coastal Plain in modern-day Israel. Known today as Horbat Lehem. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Lahmam appears only once in Scripture, in Joshua 15:40, where it is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the lowland (Shephelah) district. The name, possibly meaning 'bread' or 'food,' connects it linguistically to the Hebrew word lehem. Lahmam was grouped with other towns in the second district of the Shephelah, alongside cities like Lachish and Eglon. While no specific events are recorded at Lahmam, its inclusion in this detailed territorial list reflects the careful administration of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes following the conquest under Joshua. The allocation of these cities fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. As part of the Shephelah region, Lahmam occupied the strategically important lowland area between the coastal plain and the Judean hill country, a zone frequently contested between Israel and the Philistines. Its quiet presence in the text testifies to the thoroughness of God's provision for each clan within Judah's inheritance.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Lahmam has been identified with Horbat Lehem (Khirbet el-Lahm), a site in the Shephelah region of modern Israel, approximately five kilometers south of Beit Guvrin. The identification rests primarily on the preservation of the ancient name in the Arabic toponym. Surface surveys have revealed pottery sherds from the Iron Age period, consistent with the timeframe of Israelite settlement described in Joshua. The site occupies a low hill amid the rolling agricultural landscape of the Shephelah. No major excavations have been conducted at the site. The surrounding area is rich in archaeological remains from multiple periods, reflecting the Shephelah's long history as a fertile and strategically valuable zone.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →