בֵּית עַזְמָוֶת

בֵּית עַזְמָוֶת

house of Azmaveth, a place in Palestine

Definition

בֵּית עַזְמָוֶת (Bêyth ʻAzmâveth) is a proper noun referring to a specific location in the territory of Benjamin, near Jerusalem, after the Babylonian exile. The name literally means 'house of Azmaveth,' likely indicating it was either a settlement founded by or associated with an individual named Azmaveth. It appears in the context of a list of towns whose inhabitants returned from exile, as recorded in Nehemiah 7:28. This place is distinct from the personal name Azmaveth (H5820), which belonged to one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:31).

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Nehemiah 7:28. It appears in a detailed census list of the returning exiles from the towns of Judah and Benjamin. The context is administrative and geographical, documenting the repopulation of the land. The pattern is consistent with other place names in the list, which often begin with 'Beth' (house of) to denote a village or settlement.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: בַּיִת (bayith, H1004), meaning 'house,' 'household,' or 'dwelling place,' and עַזְמָוֶת (ʻAzmâveth, H5820), a proper name meaning 'strong as death' or 'death is strong.' The name Azmaveth itself is derived from עָז (ʻaz, H5794), meaning 'strong, fierce,' and מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194), meaning 'death.' Thus, the place name 'Beth-azmaveth' signifies 'the house/place of Azmaveth.'

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a geographical name, its single occurrence in Nehemiah 7:28 contributes to the theological theme of God's faithfulness in restoring His people. The meticulous recording of returnees from specific towns, including Beth-azmaveth, underscores the fulfillment of prophetic promises (e.g., Jeremiah 29:10) and God's preservation of a remnant. It highlights the importance of community, identity, and the re-establishment of the tribal inheritances in the land, which are foundational to God's covenant relationship with Israel. In ancient Israelite culture, place names often commemorated individuals, events, or geographical features. A name like 'house of Azmaveth' suggests it was a small village or clan settlement, possibly founded by or named in honor of the Azmaveth mentioned among David's warriors. This reflects a societal structure where extended families or clans lived together in named localities. The listing of such towns in a post-exilic document signifies the rebuilding of social and territorial structures crucial to the community's identity. עַזְמָוֶת (ʻAzmâveth, H5820) — The personal name, referring to a man, not a place. בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Another 'house of...' place name, meaning 'house of God.'

Word Details