Lexical Definition

‎חֲמָת‎ Chămâth (kham-awth') Hamath ^N:N--L
from the same as ‎חוֹמָה‎; walled

Hamath, Hemath.

• § Hamath = "fortress"
• Chamath, a place in Syria

n pr loc
1) the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes
n pr m
2) father of the house of Rechab

Brown-Driver-Briggs

Also see: חֲמַת צוֹבָה

‎חֲמָת‎, ‎חֲמַת‎ proper name, of a location (√ dubious; Thes MV and others derive from ‎חָמָה‎, ‎חֲמָת‎ = fortress, or (see RS^{Semitic i, 140}), sacred enclosure, temenos, µim¹, compare Hal^{JAS 7 ème Sér. x, 392}, Lag^{BN 82, 156}; but no certainty that name is Shemitic; Arabic , Assyrian Amattu, Dl^{PA 275 ff.}Prov 174); — modern „amaâ, on el-±A±ƒi (Orontes), 38 hours (approximately 115 miles) north of Damascus, see Bd^{Pal 398 f.} It had a king, ‎תֹּעִי‎, in David's time 2Sam 8:9 = 1Chr 18:9, and in 8th cent. B.C. 2Kgs 19:13 = Isa 37:13 gods of its own 2Kgs 17:30; 2Kgs 18:34 = Isa 36:19 gave its name to land (limits unknown) ‎׳‎‎רִבְלָה בְּאֶרֶץ ח‎ 2Kgs 23:33; 2Kgs 25:21; Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9; Jer 52:27, compare 2Chr 8:4 contained Israel exiles Isa 11:11 furnished colonists for Samaria 2Kgs 17:24 (compare v2Kgs 17:30 above) after being conquered by Sargon, (COT 2Kgs 17:24; 2Kgs 18:34 compare Isa 10:9). It is called great Hamath by Amos 6:2 (‎חֲמַת רַבָּה‎, ‎חֲמַת֯‎ only here). ‎׳‎‎ח‎ is mentioned with ‎דַּמֶּשֶׂק‎, ‎צֹר‎, ‎צִידוֺן‎ in prophecy against land Hadrach (‎חַדְרָךְ‎) Zech 9:2, compare Jer 49:23. Often in phrase ‎׳‎‎(עַדֿ) לְבאֹ ח‎ = the entrance to H., i.e. the approach to H., as territorial limit Judg 3:3 usually as denoting (ideal) northern limit of Israel territory Josh 13:5; Num 13:21; Num 34:8; Amos 6:14; 1Kgs 8:65 = 2Chr 7:8; 2Kgs 14:25; 1Chr 13:5 ‎חֲמָ֑תָה‎ 1Chr 18:3 ‎צובָה‎ ‎׳‎‎ח‎ 2Chr 8:3, and ‎הֵשִׁיב‎ ‎לִיחוּדָה‎ ‎׳‎‎אֶתדַּֿמֶּשֶׂק וְאֶתחֿ‎ 2Kgs 14:28 so also Ezek 47:48: ‎׳‎‎גְּבוּל ח‎ Ezek 47:17, compare V:16 b + V:16 a (strike out Co); ‎׳‎‎לְבוֺא ח‎ Ezek 48:1, compare Ezek 47:20 ‎׳‎‎אֶליַֿד ח‎ Ezek 48:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

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Hamath-zobah • A major city and kingdom in Syria, often mentioned in the Bible.

Hamath, also known as Hamath Rabbah or Lebo-hamath, was a significant city and kingdom in Syria, frequently mentioned in the Bible as a reference point for the northern border of Israel and in the context of political and military events (Numbers 13:21; 34:8; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3; 2 Samuel 8:9; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 14:25, 28; 17:24, 30; 18:34; 19:13; 23:33; 25:21; 1 Chronicles 13:5; 18:9; 2 Chronicles 7:8; 8:4; Isaiah 10:9; 11:11; 36:19; 37:13; Jeremiah 39:5; 49:23; 52:9, 27; Ezekiel 47:15-17, 20; 48:1; Amos 6:2, 14; Zechariah 9:2).

• A location first mentioned at Num.13.21;
• referred to as Hamath חֲמָת, or Hamath the great חֲמַת רַבָּה, or Lebo-hamath (KJV= "go") בּוֹא, or Lebo/-hamath (KJV= "entering in of Hamath") חֲמַת רַבָּה בּוֹא.
  

Hamath, also referred to as Hamath Rabbah or Lebo-hamath, was a prominent city and kingdom located in Syria, north of Israel. It is mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament, often serving as a reference point for the northern extent of Israel's territory (Numbers 13:21; 34:8; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Chronicles 7:8; Ezekiel 47:15-17, 20; 48:1; Amos 6:14).

Hamath had its own kings, such as Toi, who sent his son Joram to congratulate David on his victories over Hadadezer (2 Samuel 8:9-10; 1 Chronicles 18:9-10). The city was known for its military strength and strategic importance, as evidenced by its mentions in the context of conflicts and conquests (2 Kings 14:28; 17:24, 30; 18:34; 19:13; Isaiah 10:9; 36:19; 37:13; Jeremiah 39:5; 49:23; 52:9, 27).

During the reigns of various Israelite kings, Hamath served as a marker of the extent of their dominion. Jeroboam II, king of Israel, is said to have restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah (2 Kings 14:25). Solomon, known for his expansive kingdom, is described as having ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt, including Tiphsah and Gaza (1 Kings 4:21, 24).

The Assyrians conquered Hamath in the 8th century BC and deported some of its inhabitants to Samaria (2 Kings 17:24, 30). The fall of Hamath is mentioned in the prophetic oracles of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, often in the context of judgment against the city for its pride and wickedness (Isaiah 10:9; Jeremiah 49:23; Amos 6:2).

In the prophetic visions of Ezekiel, Hamath is mentioned as one of the boundaries of the restored land of Israel (Ezekiel 47:15-17, 20; 48:1), indicating its continued significance as a geographical marker.

The exact location of Hamath is believed to be near the modern-day city of Hama in western Syria, situated along the Orontes River. Its strategic location along trade routes and its proximity to Israel made it a city of great importance in the ancient Near East.

All entries for Hamath or Hamath Rabbah or Lebo-hamath: חֲמָת ☩ חֲמַת רַבָּה ☩ בּוֹא ☩ חֲמַת רַבָּה