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לֶשֶׁם

𐤋𐤔𐤌

Leshem

H3959 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Proper noun designating a specific city, Leshem, which is referenced as a northern settlement whose name was later changed to Dan by the tribe of Dan upon their conquest and occupation. The term is used exclusively as a toponym in biblical texts, referring to the original non-Israelite locale prior to Israelite settlement. In later passages, the site is known as Dan and becomes associated with the tribal territory of Dan.

Semantic Range

place name, original non-Israelite city later known as Dan, no additional established lexical meanings

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology uncertain. The form לֶשֶׁם (leshem) does not have a securely identified Semitic root with clear meaning, and the term functions primarily as a place name. Its association to other Hebrew roots is speculative.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Leshem appears only in Joshua 19:47, as the original name of the city later renamed Dan by the Danite tribe after their migration northward. Parallel passages (e.g., Judges 18) use the form לָיִשׁ (Laish) for this location; it is unclear whether these names are variants, refer to adjoining sites, or reflect textual traditions. The name is unrelated to the gemstone 'leshem' (associated with a stone in the priestly breastplate) except for the identical spelling; context makes it clear these are distinct referents. English translations typically retain 'Leshem,' though some add explanatory notes about its later identity as Dan. The term is geographically anchored to the northernmost boundary of Israelite tribal settlement, bordering non-Israelite regions during the patriarchal and monarchy periods.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as לֶשֶׁם; Leshem, a place in Palestine; Leshem.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לשם (uncertain) (l-š-m (uncertain)) — uncertain; proper place name

Root uncertain uncertain (as a proper name only)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3959-01 לְ/לֶ֨שֶׁם֙ leleshem HR/Np Leshem to Leshem to Leshem 1
H3959-02 לֶ֜שֶׁם leshem HNp Leshem Leshem Leshem 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3959-02 Joshua 19:47 לֶ֜שֶׁם leshem HNp Leshem Leshem Leshem
H3959-01 Joshua 19:47 לְ/לֶ֨שֶׁם֙ leleshem HR/Np Leshem to Leshem to Leshem
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