לַקּוּם
𐤋𐤒𐤅𐤌
Laqum
H3946 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Laqqûwm is a proper noun referring to a geographical location, specifically a city or settlement mentioned as a boundary marker in ancient Israelite tribal allotments. As a toponym, it likely does not carry a lexical meaning beyond identifying the inhabited site, but it may be related to notions of fortification or obstruction based on hypothesized root associations.
Semantic Range
proper noun for a town or boundary site in northern Israelite territory; possible association with fortification, barricade, or enclosure if derived from a hypothesized root, but primarily as a geographical name
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain; traditionally linked with an unused root suggested to mean 'to stop up' or 'to barricade,' possibly related to the idea of a fortification or enclosed site. However, there is no attested verb or noun form with this root in Biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Laqqûwm occurs in Joshua 19:33 as a boundary town on the northern border of the tribal territory of Naphtali. The contextual placement suggests a fortified or strategically situated settlement, potentially near natural barriers or man-made defenses. The name has no known parallel in later Hebrew or Aramaic, and the settlement has not been securely identified archaeologically. Modern translations often render the name as 'Lakkum' or 'Lakum,' leaving its meaning as a proper noun rather than attempting translation. There is no evidence this place name continued into post-biblical periods, and the English term 'fortification' found in some glosses is conjectural, not appearing as a lexical meaning in the text itself. The term does not overlap with other common Hebrew words for 'fortress' (e.g., מִבְצָר or מָצוֹד), indicating an independent toponym rather than a descriptive epithet.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root thought to mean to stop up by a barricade; perhaps fortification; Lakkum, a place in Palestine; Lakum.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לאק (uncertain) (l-q-m (uncertain)) — possibly barricade, enclose, fortify (uncertain)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3946-01 |
לַקּ֑וּם | laqum | HNp |
Lakkum | Laqqûm | Laqum | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3946-01 |
Joshua 19:33 | לַקּ֑וּם | laqum | HNp |
Lakkum | Laqqûm | Laqum |