Lexical Summary Bene Yaaqan: Bene Jaakan Original Word: בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bene-jaakan From the plural of ben and Ya'aqan; sons of Yaakan; Bene-Jaakan, a place in the Desert -- Bene-jaakan. see HEBREW ben see HEBREW Ya'aqan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ben and Yaaqan Definition "sons of Jaakan," a place in the desert NASB Translation Bene-jaakan (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בְּנֵי יַעֲָק֑ן proper name, of a location a station of Israel in wilderness Numbers 33:31,32 (= בְּאֵרוֺת בני יעקן Deuteronomy 10:6 q. v.; compare also יַעֲקָ֑ן 1 Chronicles 1:42 = וַעֲקָ֑ן Genesis 36:27, & Di Numbers 33:31). Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning The name בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן (Bene Yaakan) means “sons (or children) of Jaakan,” hinting either at a family group descended from an otherwise unknown ancestor named Jaakan or at a settlement founded by such a clan. The plural “sons” was often applied to localities that originated as patriarchal encampments which later became fixed stations or villages. Biblical References • Numbers 33:31 – “They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.” A related form, “Beeroth Bene Jaakan” (“wells of the sons of Jaakan”), appears in Deuteronomy 10:6, describing a stop made while the priestly garments were transferred, but that phrase is technically catalogued under a different Strong’s number. Historical Context Bene Yaakan belongs to the itinerary Moses preserved near the end of Israel’s forty-year wilderness sojourn. The list in Numbers 33 records forty-two encampments; Bene Yaakan is the thirty-second. The people had just departed Moseroth, where Aaron’s death had been commemorated, and they would next march to Hor Haggidgad, moving gradually toward Ezion-geber and the plains of Moab. The notice of Bene Yaakan demonstrates the methodical, ordered progression of the nation—every stage supervised by the pillar of cloud and fire (compare Exodus 40:36-38). Moses’ careful recording of these stages provided subsequent generations with a legal title to the land (Joshua 1:4) and a sober reminder of divine faithfulness despite human unbelief (Nehemiah 9:12-21; Psalm 78). Geographical Location Exact identification is uncertain. Proposals range from the Arabah south of the Dead Sea to wadis in the central Sinai Peninsula. Three data points guide researchers: 1. Proximity to Moseroth (often linked to Mount Hor near the modern Jebel Harun). On balance, many conservative geographers place Bene Yaakan east or southeast of Mount Hor, near existing water sources that would have supported a tribal encampment. The obscurity of its location reinforces the transitory nature of Israel’s desert life, underscoring that God Himself was their dwelling (Deuteronomy 33:27). Theological and Spiritual Significance 1. Memorial of Guidance – Each campsite, including Bene Yaakan, testifies that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). Lessons for Today • God keeps meticulous account of His people’s paths; nothing is forgotten. Forms and Transliterations יַעֲקָ֑ן יַעֲקָֽן׃ יעקן יעקן׃ ya‘ăqān ya·‘ă·qān yaaKanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 33:31 HEB: וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בִּבְנֵ֥י יַעֲקָֽן׃ NAS: and camped at Bene-jaakan. KJV: and pitched in Benejaakan. INT: Moseroth and camped Bene-jaakan Numbers 33:32 2 Occurrences |
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