חֲמַת רַבָּה
𐤇𐤌𐤕 𐤓𐤁𐤄
Chamat Rabah
H2579 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The toponym 'Chămath Rabbâh' designates a locality, interpreted as 'Great Hamath' or 'the great city of Hamath.' It is a compound toponym that emphasizes Hamath as a principal, large, or prominent site. In biblical usage, the phrase describes a place associated with the city of Hamath, a significant urban center on the northern boundary of Israelite territory, sometimes paired with other qualifiers to distinguish it from other locations bearing similar names.
Semantic Range
Hamath the great, great city of Hamath, Hamath-Rabbah, principal Hamath, Hamath of great importance or size
Root / Etymology
חֲמַת רַבָּה is a compound of חֲמָת (Hamath), a major Aramean city and region in the Orontes valley, and רַבָּה (rabbah), the feminine form of the adjective 'great.' The root for חֲמָת is uncertain, possibly pre-Hebrew and non-Semitic, as it refers to a known ancient city; רַבָּה derives from רבב (to be/grow great, become many). Thus, the phrase's literal meaning is 'Great Hamath.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical literature, 'Chămath Rabbâh' occurs in a geographical list (e.g., Joshua 13:5) outlining boundaries of Israelite control, serving to indicate the northernmost extent of Israelite settlement or claims. The addition of רַבָּה ('great') distinguishes this site from smaller or less significant places named Hamath, possibly reflecting its importance as a political or military center in the First Temple period. Later historical traditions associated Hamath as a symbolic boundary marker. The Septuagint variously renders the phrase, sometimes simply transliterating it and sometimes using adjectives for 'great.' English versions (following AV/KJV tradition) tend to use 'Hamath, the great city' or 'Hamath Rabbah,' but these renderings cannot convey the precise territorial or geopolitical connotations in the ancient context. No evidence exists that the designation 'Rabbah' reflects later religious or ethnic identities. The city of Hamath was not Israelite territory but a key northern neighbor and political entity. Over time, the phrase becomes less common as Hamath itself diminishes in direct relevance to Judean and Israelite affairs.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חֲמָת and רַבָּה; Chamath of Rabbah; probably the same as חֲמָת.; Chamath-Rabbah;
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חמה (ḥ-m-h) — to surround, to wall, to enclose, to fortify
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2528 | חֱמָא | burning fury |
| H2529 | חֶמְאָה | thickened milk |
| H2553 | חַמָּן | your sun-pillars |
| H2574 | חֲמָת | in Hamath-Fortress |
| H2575 | חַמַּת | from Chammath |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2579-02 |
רַבָּ֑ה | rabah | HNp |
the great | great | 1 |
H2579-01 |
חֲמַ֣ת | chamat | HNp |
Hamath | Walled-city of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences