Lexical Definition
עֶצֶם ʻEtsem (eh'-tsem) Ezem N:N--L
the same as עֶצֶם; bone
Azem, Ezem.
- § Azem or Ezem = "bone"
- Etsem, a place in Palestine
1) a city in the Nekeb of Judah afterwards allotted to Simeon
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| וּבְעֶ֖צֶם | and in Ezem | 1Chr.4.29 |
| וָעָֽצֶם | and Ezem | Josh.15.29 • Josh.19.3 |
| Ιασόμ | Azem | LXX.Josh.19.3 |
| Ασέμ | Azem | LXX.Josh.15.29 |
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. עֶ֫צֶם proper name, of a location Ασομ, etc., in Negeb of Judah, עָ֑צֶם Josh 15:29, Simeon Josh 19:3; 1Chr 4:29 (עָצֶם).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Joshua | 15:29 · 19:3 |
| 1 Chronicles | 4:29 |
Profile
Ezem • City allotted to Judah and Simeon
Ezem, a city allotted to the tribes of Judah and Simeon in the Negev region.
- A location near Beersheba בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע first mentioned at Jos.15.29;
- only referred to as Ezem עֶצֶם.
Ezem is mentioned in the Bible as a city that was allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:29) and later given to the tribe of Simeon as part of their inheritance within Judah's territory (Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:29).
The city is listed among other cities in the Negev, the southern desert region of Judah. In Joshua 15:29, Ezem is mentioned alongside Baalah, Iim, and Tolad, while in Joshua 19:3 and 1 Chronicles 4:29, it is listed with Bethul, Hormah, and Ziklag as part of Simeon's inheritance.
No other details about Ezem are provided in the Bible, and its exact location is unknown. The Negev was known for its arid climate and served as a buffer zone between the Israelites and the surrounding desert-dwelling tribes.
The mention of Ezem in the lists of cities allotted to Judah and Simeon helps to define the extent of their territories and provides insight into the geography of the region during the time of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan.
All entries for Ezem: עֶצֶם