חֶשְׁמוֹן
𐤇𐤔𐤌𐤅𐤍
Cheshemon
H2829 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Cheshmon is a proper noun designating a settlement or place name in the southern region of ancient Israelite territory, particularly within the Negev. The primary lexical sense is a specific geographic locale rather than an appellative noun. In its possible underlying sense, the related root or form may denote richness or abundance, but as a proper noun it is used exclusively as a toponym in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
Cheshmon (a place name in southern Judah/Negev); possible underlying sense of abundance, fertility, or richness (when considered etymologically), but used only as a toponym in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
From the root ח־שׁ־מ (חשמן or חושם), likely the same as חַשְׁמַן (chashman), with the root sense of 'to be rich, opulent, wealthy.' The name חֶשְׁמוֹן (Cheshmon) is constructed as a place name built from this root, although direct derivation remains uncertain. The etymology is somewhat uncertain, and the name may have been formed to indicate a quality such as fertility or abundance of the locale, or could preserve an older, possibly non-Semitic toponym.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֶשְׁמוֹן (Cheshmon) appears only in Joshua 15:27 as a boundary or town within the southern Judahite allotment (Negev region). The name is preserved as a toponym and does not occur with qualities or attributes in narrative contexts. The underlying root, often translated 'opulent' or 'wealthy,' informs some traditional interpretations, but there is no direct evidence for abundance or richness at the site itself. English versions, particularly those following the tradition of the KJV, commonly render this as 'Heshmon,' sometimes attaching speculative meanings relating to 'opulence,' which may overstate the evidence. The town's exact location is now uncertain, with identification based on ancient lists and toponymic continuity rather than archaeological remains. No later biblical or Second Temple period references associate the place with any ethnic or religious group beyond its initial mention as Judean territory. Cheshmon should be distinguished from other biblical place names with superficially similar roots but different meanings (e.g. Hashmonah, Numbers 33:29-30).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as חַשְׁמַן; opulent; Cheshmon, a place in Palestine; Heshmon.
Bantu Hebrew
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חשמ (ḥ-sh-m) — richness, opulence, abundance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2829-01 |
וְ/חֶשְׁמ֖וֹן | vecheshemon | HC/Np |
and Heshmon | and Cheshmon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2829-01 |
Joshua 15:27 | וְ/חֶשְׁמ֖וֹן | vecheshemon | HC/Np |
and Heshmon | and Cheshmon |