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מִבְחוֹר

𐤌𐤁𐤇𐤅𐤓

mibchôwr

H4004 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בחר to choose, select, prefer

Definition

A place name, likely meaning 'chosen' or 'well-fortified,' indicating a select or preferred location, or possibly one distinguished by strength or desirability in its physical or social aspects.

Semantic Range

chosen place, selected town, preferable location, well-fortified town (possible interpretive extension)

Root / Etymology

From the root בחר (b-ḥ-r), meaning 'to choose, select.' The word מִבְחוֹר (mibchôwr) derives from a prefixed mem as a marker of place or product, giving the sense of 'place of choice' or 'chosen location.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִבְחוֹר is a rare place name attested in Joshua 13:26, listed among boundaries of allotted territories in Transjordan. Its etymological link to the root בחר ('to choose') suggests a connotation of special selection or distinction, perhaps as a settlement considered choice for its location, quality, or fortifications. Unlike related terms derived from בחור (choice), which often refer to people or things selected for their excellence, this form designates a geographic entity. The translation 'well fortified,' as informed by some traditions, may reflect associated contextual meanings or later interpretive guesses, but the primary lexical sense remains connected to the concept of 'chosen.' As its appearance is restricted and topographical identification is uncertain, מִבְחוֹר does not manifest semantic development across biblical periods. English translations often render it as a toponym, sometimes with added qualifiers (e.g., 'well-fortified'), though there is little direct evidence for the specification beyond 'chosen' or 'choice.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּחַר; select, i.e. well fortified; choice.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בחר (b-ḥ-r) — to choose, select, prefer

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2984 יִבְחַר He Will Choose
H4005 מִבְחָר in the choicest of
H4006 מִבְחָר choicest of
H970 בָּחוּר chosen young man
H972 בָּחִיר chosen one of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4004-01 מִבְח֔וֹר mivechor HNcmsa choice chosen place 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4004-01 2 Kings 3:19 מִבְח֔וֹר mivechor HNcmsa choice chosen place
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