Topical Encyclopedia
Libnah is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the historical narratives of the Israelites. It is recognized as one of the cities in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Judah. The name "Libnah" is thought to mean "whiteness" or "transparency," possibly referring to the white poplar trees or the bright limestone found in the area.
Biblical References:1.
Conquest and Allocation: Libnah first appears in the biblical narrative during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. It is listed among the cities captured by Joshua and the Israelites as they took possession of the Promised Land. In
Joshua 10:29-30 , it is recorded: "Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel, and Joshua put all the people to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho."
2.
Levitical City: Libnah was later designated as a Levitical city, assigned to the descendants of Aaron, the priestly line within the tribe of Levi. This allocation is noted in
Joshua 21:13 : "So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa."
3.
Rebellion Against Judah: Libnah is also mentioned in the context of a rebellion during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah. In
2 Kings 8:22 , it is stated: "So Edom has been in rebellion against Judah to this day. Libnah also revolted at that time." This rebellion is significant as it reflects the political instability and challenges faced by the southern kingdom of Judah.
4.
Assyrian Invasion: During the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib, Libnah is noted as one of the cities besieged by the Assyrian army. In
2 Kings 19:8 , the narrative describes: "When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah."
Historical and Archaeological Insights:Libnah's exact location has been a subject of debate among scholars and archaeologists. It is generally identified with the site of Tel Burna, located in the modern-day region of Israel. Excavations at Tel Burna have revealed significant findings that align with the biblical description of a fortified city, including fortification walls and artifacts dating back to the Iron Age.
Theological Significance:Libnah's role in the biblical narrative underscores several theological themes. Its capture and allocation to the Levites highlight the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites regarding the land of Canaan. The city's rebellion during Jehoram's reign serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the political turmoil that can arise from turning away from God's covenant. Additionally, the mention of Libnah during the Assyrian campaign against Judah illustrates God's protection and deliverance of His people, as the Assyrian threat was ultimately thwarted.
Libnah, therefore, serves as a testament to the historical and spiritual journey of the Israelites, reflecting both their triumphs and challenges as they sought to live in accordance with God's will.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Libnahwhite; whiteness
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Libnah(whiteness).
- A royal city of the Canaanites which lay in the southwest part of the Holy Land, taken by Joshua immediately after the rout of Beth-horon. It was near Lachish, west of Makkedah. It was appropriated with its "suburbs" to the priests. (Joshua 21:13;1 Chronicles 6:57) In the reign of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat it "revolted" form Judah at the same time with Edom. (2 Kings 8:22;2 Chronicles 21:10) Probably the modernAyak el-Menshiyeh .
- One of the stations at which the Israelites encamped on their journey between the wilderness of Sinai and Kadesh. (Numbers 33:20,21)
ATS Bible Dictionary
LibnahA city in the western part of Judah, not far from Lachish, conquered by Joshua from the Canaanites, and assigned to the priests,Joshua 10:29,30 15:42 21:131 Chronicles 6:57. Its inhabitants revolted against the idolatrous and cruel Jehoram,2 Chronicles 21:10. It was a strongly fortified place, and under its walls the Assyrian army was miraculously cut off,2 Kings 19:8,9,35.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Transparency; whiteness.
(1.) One of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 33:20, 21).
(2.) One of the royal cities of the Canaanites taken by Joshua (Joshua 10:29-32;12:15). It became one of the Levitical towns in the tribe of Judah (21:13), and was strongly fortified. Sennacherib laid siege to it (2 Kings 19:8;Isaiah 37:8). It was the native place of Hamutal, the queen of Josiah (2 Kings 23:31). It stood near Lachish, and has been identified with the modern Arak el-Menshiyeh.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LIBNAHlib'-na (libhnah "whiteness," "transparency," "pavement" (compareExodus 24:10 where libhnath, is translated "paved work" or a "compact foundation"); Lebna):
(1) A desert camp of the Israelites between Rimmon-perez and Rissah (Numbers 33:20, 21). Probably the same as Laban (Deuteronomy 1:1).
SeeWANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.
(2) A town in the Shephelah of Judah (Joshua 15:42). "Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah: and Yahweh delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel..... And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it" (Joshua 10:29-31;Joshua 12:15). It was one of the cities given to the "children of Aaron" (Joshua 21:131 Chronicles 6:57). In the reign of Joram, Libnah joined the Edomites in a revolt against the king of Judah (2 Kings 8:222 Chronicles 21:10). In the reign of Hezekiah, Libnah was besieged by Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:8Isaiah 37:8). The wife of King Josiah was "Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah," she was the mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah (2 Kings 23:31;2 Kings 24:18Jeremiah 52:1).
The site of this important stronghold remains unknown. In the Eusebius, Onomasticon it is described, under the name Lobana or Lobna, as near Eleutheropolis (Beit Jebrin). All the indications point to a site in the Southwest of the Shephelah, not very far from Lachish. The Palestine Exploration Fund surveyors suggested (PEF, III, 259) the commanding site `Arak el Menshiyeh, or rather the white chalky mound 250 ft. high to the North of this village, and Stanley proposed Tell es Cafi. (Both these identifications are due to the interpretation of Libnah as meaning "whiteness.") In the PEFS (1897, Sh XX) Conder suggests a ruin called el Benawy, 10 miles Southeast of Lachish.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
3841.Libnah -- a city in SW Judah, also a place in the wilderness... 3840, 3841.
Libnah. 3842 . a city in SW Judah, also a place in the wilderness.
Transliteration:
Libnah Phonetic Spelling: (lib-naw') Short Definition:
Libnah...3840.libnah -- paved
... 3839, 3840.libnah. 3841 . paved. Transliteration:libnah Phonetic Spelling:
(lib-naw') Short Definition: paved.... 3839, 3840.libnah. 3841 . Strong's Numbers
Library
'As Sodom'
... And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah ofLibnah.2. And he did
that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim...
Concerning the Wickedness of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; his Defeat...
... further. However, this expedition did him no service, for they all revolted
from him, with those that dwelt in the country ofLibnah....
A Prophet who Saved a Great City
... So the high official returned and found the king of Assyria making war against
Libnah, for he had heard that he had gone from Lachish....
The Triumph of Faith
... before Jerusalem is a mistake. Sennacherib and his troops were atLibnah,
on their way to meet the Egyptian forces. If there were any...
Footnotes
... 90 So Greek; Hebrew omits sound. 91 This line is uncertain. 92 Greek. 93 So Greek;
Hebrew omits this line. 94 (1) Jeremiah ofLibnah, father of Hamutal, II....
Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... The Assyrian texts are silent about this catastrophe, and the sacred books of the
Hebrews seem to refer it to the camp atLibnah in Palestine (2 Kings 19:8-35...
Acts ii. 14
... It does not appear who is meant by this Lobna, unless it originates in some strange
misconception of 2 Kings 23:31, "daughter of Jeremiah ofLibnah," LXX....
The Prophet Joel.
... "At that time," he says, "the Edomites revolted from Judah;Libnah, which belonged
to Judah In the... Just as little can we see whatLibnah has to do here....
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <....
Thesaurus
Libnah (18 Occurrences)...LIBNAH.
... And Joshua passed from
Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and
encamped against it, and fought against it" (Joshua 10:29-31; Joshua 12:15).
...Hamutal (3 Occurrences)
... Kinsman of the dew, the daughter of Jeremiah ofLibnah, wife of king Josiah, and
mother of king Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31), also of king Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:18...
Fighteth (23 Occurrences)
... (ASV JPS). Joshua 10:29 And Joshua passeth over, and all Israel with him,
from Makkedah 'to'Libnah, and fighteth withLibnah; (YLT)....
Passeth (100 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:29 And Joshua passeth over, and all Israel with him, from Makkedah
'to'Libnah, and fighteth withLibnah; (YLT). Joshua...
Fought (109 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Joshua 10:29 Joshua passed from Makkedah,
and all Israel with him, toLibnah, and fought againstLibnah....
Hamu'tal (3 Occurrences)
... and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem;
and his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah ofLibnah....
Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:36), "held their peace, and answered him not a word." Afterward
Rabshakeh returned and "found the king of Assyria warring againstLibnah...
Lachish (22 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:31 Joshua passed fromLibnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish,
and encamped against it, and fought against it. (WEB...
Joram (26 Occurrences)
... failure. In the account we are told that at the same timeLibnah revolted....
21.Libnah was located on the south-western border of Judah....
Libna (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Libna (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:42Libnah, Ether,
Ashan, (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
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