דִּבְלָה
𐤃𐤁𐤋𐤄
Divelah
H1689 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Diblâh refers to a toponym (place name) in biblical text, likely denoting a specific location in the ancient Near East. The term appears as a geographical location, though its precise identification remains uncertain and may be connected to a variant textual reading.
Semantic Range
place name, geographic location, possibly a textual variant of Riblah; not used as a common noun or with other senses
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The name דִּבְלָה may be related to the root דבל, which elsewhere suggests 'pressed cake' (as in pressed figs), but this is only a phonetic similarity; the actual derivation and meaning as a place name is etymologically uncertain. Some scholars argue it is a textual variant or orthographical error for רִבְלָה (Riblah), as seen in parallel passages, but the manuscript tradition preserves דִּבְלָה in several instances.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דִּבְלָה is attested in Ezekiel 6:14 as a territorial marker, describing the extent of Yahweh's judgment. Some ancient versions (e.g., LXX, some Hebrew manuscripts) render the name differently, leading many commentators to suggest a textual confusion with רִבְלָה (Riblah), a known Syrian city on the Orontes. In contrast, the Masoretic Text preserves דִּבְלָה. The ambiguity suggests either an obscure site named Diblâh—otherwise unattested historically and archaeologically—or a scribal error or dialectal variation. There is no indication that the name denotes an ethnic, religious, or political identity in antiquity. English translations may provide 'Diblath' or emend to 'Riblah,' reflecting these uncertainties. The name appears only as a place name without broader semantic application. It should not be conflated with דְּבֵלָה (develah, 'fig cake'), which shares a similar root spelling but is a distinct word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably an orthographical error for רִבְלָה; Diblah, a place in Syria; Diblath.
Bantu Hebrew
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דבל? (d-b-l (uncertain)) — uncertain; possibly pressed, compacted (not established for the toponym)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1689-01 |
דִּבְלָ֔תָ/ה | divelatah | HNp/Sd |
Diblah | Diblâh | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1689-01 |
Ezekiel 6:14 | דִּבְלָ֔תָ/ה | divelatah | HNp/Sd |
Diblah | Diblâh |