Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Location:Jabneh, also known as Jabneel or Yavne, is a city mentioned in the Bible, located in the territory of the tribe of Judah. The name "Jabneh" is derived from the Hebrew root "banah," meaning "to build," which is fitting given its historical significance as a fortified city. It is situated near the Mediterranean coast, approximately 20 miles south of Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) and 15 miles north of Ashdod.
Biblical References:Jabneh is first mentioned in the context of the territorial allotments of the tribes of Israel. In
Joshua 15:11, the city is listed as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah: "The boundary extended to the side of Ekron northward. Then the boundary curved to Shikkeron and continued to Mount Baalah. It proceeded to Jabneel and ended at the sea" . This passage highlights Jabneh's strategic location along the western border of Judah, near the Philistine territories.
Historical Significance:Jabneh holds historical importance due to its role during various periods of Israel's history. During the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Jabneh was fortified as part of his efforts to strengthen the defenses of Judah against Philistine aggression (
2 Chronicles 26:6). The city was a site of conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, reflecting the ongoing struggle for control over the coastal regions.
In the post-exilic period, Jabneh became a center of Jewish learning and culture. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, was reestablished in Jabneh under the leadership of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai. This marked the beginning of the Rabbinic period, during which Jabneh served as a hub for the development of Jewish law and tradition.
Archaeological Findings:Archaeological excavations at the site of ancient Jabneh have uncovered remnants of its historical past, including fortifications, pottery, and other artifacts that attest to its significance as a fortified city. These findings provide insight into the city's role in the region's political and military history.
Theological Implications:Jabneh's mention in the Bible underscores the importance of territorial boundaries and the fulfillment of God's promises to the tribes of Israel. The city's strategic location and fortifications reflect the ongoing need for vigilance and defense against external threats, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. Additionally, Jabneh's later role as a center of Jewish learning highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people and the preservation of His law and teachings through generations.
Modern Relevance:Today, the modern city of Yavne stands near the ancient site of Jabneh, continuing its legacy as a place of habitation and cultural significance. The historical and biblical heritage of Jabneh serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between the land of Israel and the biblical narrative, as well as the ongoing relevance of biblical history in contemporary times.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jabneh(building of God), (2 Chronicles 26:6) [JABNEEL]
ATS Bible Dictionary
JabnehAfterwards Jamnia, now Jebna, a Philistine city on the Mediterranean coast, some twelve miles south of Joppa. It was conquered by the Jews,2 Chronicles 26:6.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Building, (
2 Chronicles 26:6), identical with Jabneel (
Joshua 15:11).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JABNEEL; JABNEHjab'-ne-el, jab'-ne (yabhne'el, "God is builder"; Septuagint Lebna, Swete reads Lemna; the Apocrypha has Iamnia, Iamneia):
(1) A town on the northern border of the land assigned to Judah, near the western sea, mentioned in connection with Ekron (Joshua 15:11). The place is now represented by the modern village of Yebna which stands upon a hill a little to the South of the Nahr Rubin, about 12 or 13 miles South of Jaffa, on the road from there to Askelon, and about 4 miles from the sea. It had a port, now called Mina Rubin, a short distance South of the mouth of the river, some remains of which still exist. Its harbor was superior to that of Jaffa (PEFS, 1875, 167-68). It does not occur in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament except in the passage mentioned, but it appears under the form "Jabneh" (yabhneh) in2 Chronicles 26:6, as is evident from the mention of Gath and Ashdod in connection with it. The Septuagint reads Gemna (Jabneh) where the Hebrew reads wa-yammah, "even unto the sea," inJoshua 15:46, where Ekron and Ashdod and other cities and villages are mentioned as belonging to Judah's inheritance. Josephus (Ant., V, i, 22) assigns it to the tribe of Dan. We have no mention of its being captured by Joshua or occupied by Judah until the reign of Uzziah who captured it and demolished its wall, in connection with his war upon the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). The position of Jabneel was strong and was the scene of many contests, both in the period of the monarchy and that of the Maccabees. It is mentioned frequently in the account of the wars of the latter with the Syrians. It was garrisoned by the Seleucid kings, and served as a base for raiding the territory of Judah. When Judas Maccabeus defeated Gorgias and the Syrians he pursued them to the plains of Jabneel, but did not take the fortress (1 Maccabees 4:15). Gorgias was there attacked by the Jewish generals Joseph and Azarias, contrary to Judas' orders, who were repulsed with loss (1 Maccabees 5:56-60; Josephus, Ant, XII, viii, 6). Apollonius occupied it for King Demetrius (1 Maccabees 10:69); and Cendebeus for Antiochus, and from there harassed the Jews (1 Maccabees 15:40). Judas burned the port and navy of Jabneel (2 Maccabees 12:8-9). It was taken by Simon in 142 B.C. (Josephus, Ant, XIII, vi, 7; BJ, I, ii, 2), together with Gazara and Joppa, but was restored to its inhabitants by Pompey in 62 B.C. (Ant., XIV, iv, 4), and was rebuilt by Gabinius in 57 B.C. (BJ, I, viii, 4). It was restored to the Jews by Augustus in 30 A.D. Herod gave it to his sister Salome and she bequeathed it to Julia, the wife of Augustus (Ant., XVIII, ii, 2; BJ, II, ix, 1). The town and region were prosperous in Roman times, and when Jerusalem was besieged by Titus the Sanhedrin removed to Jabneel, and it afterward became the seat of a great rabbinical school (Milman, History of the Jews, II, 411-12), but was suppressed in the persecution under Hadrian. Antonius allowed it to be revived, but it was again suppressed because of hostile language on the part of the rabbis (ibid., 451-52). The Crusaders built there the castle of Ibelin, supposing it to be the site of Gath. It was occupied by the Saracens, and various inscriptions in Arabic of the 13th and 14th centuries have been found there (SWP, II, 441-42).
(2) A town of Naphtali mentioned inJoshua 19:33, and supposed to be the site of the modern Yemma, Southwest of the sea of Galilee (SWP, I, 365). It is the Kefr Yama of the Talmud
H. Porter
Strong's Hebrew
2996. Yabneh -- "he causes to build," a Philistine city... 2995, 2996. Yabneh. 2997 . "he causes to build," a Philistine city.
Transliteration: Yabneh Phonetic Spelling: (yab-neh') Short Definition:
Jabneh.
...Jabneh.
...Library
Jabneh. Jamnia.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 11-20 Chapter 15Jabneh. Jamnia.
...Pliny doth dispose the towns here in this order;""Azotus...
Lydda
... When the Sanhedrim sat inJabneh, there flourished eminent schools in Lydda.
Yea, Lydda had her schools and her learned men, when...
Usha
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 81-90 Chapter 84 Usha. "The Sanhedrim went from
Jabneh to Usha, and from Usha to Shepharaam." The Gloss is, "ToJabneh in the...
The Consistories of More Note: Out of the Babylonian Talmud...
... Indeed, the Sanhedrim of R. Jochanan was inJabneh; but his consistory, his seat
of judgment, seems to be distinguished from the Sanhedrim....
Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was.
... Jacob Bar Aidai saith, in the name of R. Jochanan, Let no man absent himself from
Beth-Midrash, for this question was many a time propounded inJabneh, The boat...
A Young Man who Said, "Send Me"
... He fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath and ofJabneh
and of Ashdod and built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines....
Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How...
... He made an expedition also against the Philistines, and overcame them in battle,
and took the cities of Gath andJabneh, and brake down their walls; after...
The Greek Versions as Aids to Biblical Study.
... In the last days of Jerusalem a school had been founded at Jamnia (Jabneh, Yebna)
[902] , near the Philistine seaboard, by R. Jochanan ben Zaccai....
The Canon.
... The question emerged again at a later synod inJabneh or Jamnia, when R. Eleaser
ben Asaria was chosen patriarch, and Gamaliel the Second, deposed....
The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... school of Shammai, who had the majority, opposed; so that the book was probably
excluded.(63) The question emerged again at a later synod atJabneh or Jamnia...
Thesaurus
Jabneh (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JABNEEL;
JABNEH.
... It is the Kefr Yama of the Talmud
H. Porter. Multi-Version Concordance
Jabneh (1 Occurrence).
...Jabneel (2 Occurrences)
... Its later name was Kefr Yemmah, "the village by the sea," on the south shore of
Lake Merom. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JABNEEL;JABNEH....
Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... Zealots, Simon ben Gioras and John of Gischala (BJ, V, i). The truth behind the
Talmudic statements that Gamaliel removed the Sanhedrin toJabneh and that...
Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... head of the Red Sea, was restored to Judah, and the city rebuilt (2 Kings 14:22
2 Chronicles 26:2); the walls of certain hostile towns, Gath,Jabneh and Ashdod...
Jabok (1 Occurrence)
Warred (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:6 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down
the wall of Gath, and the wall ofJabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he...
Rebuilt (47 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:6 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down
the wall of Gath, and the wall ofJabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he...
Elsewhere (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:6 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down
the wall of Gath, and the wall ofJabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he...
Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... The Palestine Exploration surveyors have, however, identified it with el-Mughar,
or "the caves," 3 miles fromJabneh and 2 1/2 southwest of Ekron, because...
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