מִבְדָּלָה

מִבְדָּלָה

a separation, i.e. (concretely) a separate place

Definition

The noun מִבְדָּלָה (mibdâlâh) refers to a separation or a separate place. It denotes a physical area or portion that has been set apart or distinguished from its surroundings. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes a specific territory that was separated out from the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim for the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 16:9). The word carries the concrete sense of a distinct, allocated space resulting from an act of division.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 16:9. It appears in the context of land division following the Israelite conquest of Canaan. The verse describes cities that were 'separated' (the מִבְדָּלָה) for the tribe of Manasseh from the territory belonging to Ephraim. Its usage is strictly geographical and administrative, relating to the apportionment of the Promised Land among the tribes.

Etymology

מִבְדָּלָה is a feminine noun derived from the root בָּדַל (bādal, H914), meaning 'to divide, separate, or distinguish.' It is formed using the common nominal prefix 'mi-' and the feminine ending '-ah,' indicating an abstract noun or a place resulting from the action of the root. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of separation or distinction.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is used in a mundane, geographical context, its root connects to the profound biblical theme of God's act of separation as an essential part of creation and covenant identity. God separated light from darkness (Genesis 1:4, using the verb בָּדַל) and called Israel to be a holy people, set apart (Leviticus 20:26). Understanding that the allocated land itself was a מִבְדָּלָה reinforces the idea that God's promises are fulfilled in concrete, tangible ways, assigning a specific place within His plan to His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, land inheritance was a critical component of family and tribal identity, stability, and economic survival. The precise delineation of tribal territories, as seen with this 'separate place,' was vital for preventing conflict and ensuring each tribe received its God-appointed portion. This act of separation was not arbitrary but part of a divine distribution, reflecting the importance of orderly settlement in the newly conquered land. חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, H2506) — a portion, share, or allotment, focusing more on the part received than the act of separation. גְּבוּל (gᵉḇûl, H1366) — a border, boundary, or territory, emphasizing the limits rather than the state of being set apart.

Word Details