Lexical Summary ahal: moved tent, moved tents, pitch tent Original Word: אֹהַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pitch remove a tent A denominative from 'ohel; to tent -- pitch (remove) a tent. see HEBREW 'ohel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from the same as ohel Definition to move a tent (from place to place) NASB Translation moved tent (1), moved tents (1), pitch tent (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָהַל] verb denominative tent, move tent from place to place (compare Assyrian â'ilu (?) DlW No. 4 & Agl) וַיֶּאֱהַל Genesis 13:12,18 (J), compare ישֵׁב אֹהֶל (see אֹהֶל); Pi`el Imperfect יַהֵל (contracted for יְאַהֵל) pitch one's tent like nomad Isaiah 13:20. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb אֹהַל (Strong’s Hebrew 167) expresses the action of pitching, spreading, or situating a tent. It therefore conveys movement, settlement, and the establishment of temporary dwelling. Because tents epitomize pilgrimage and dependence upon God’s provision, the word naturally carries motifs of faith, transience, and covenantal hope. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Genesis 13:12 – Lot “pitched his tents” near Sodom. Patriarchal Backdrop: Pilgrimage and Worship Abram’s life is characterized by movement at God’s command. Each time he pitches his tent he acknowledges two truths: God’s promise of land (Genesis 12:7) and the present reality that the promise is not yet fulfilled. After separating from Lot, Abram intentionally erects his tent in Hebron and “built an altar to the LORD” (Genesis 13:18). The paired actions—pitching the tent and raising an altar—show that worship defines his sojourning. The tent marks earthly impermanence; the altar signals heavenly permanence. Moral Contrast: Lot’s Choice Genesis 13:12 places Lot’s tent on the edge of Sodom’s depravity. “Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom”. The verb paints Lot as still a nomad, yet slowly fixing himself near wickedness. The movement of the tent foreshadows the later disaster of Genesis 19 and teaches that seemingly small directional choices have profound spiritual consequences. Prophetic Finality: Babylon’s Desolation Isaiah 13:20 employs the same verb in a reversed, negative form: “No Arab will pitch a tent there, and no shepherds will rest their flocks there”. What was once common nomadic activity will cease completely. The prophetic word pictures absolute judgment—so thorough that even temporary encampments vanish. In biblical theology Babylon stands for organized rebellion against God; its inability to host a single tent signifies the total triumph of divine justice. Theological Themes 1. Pilgrimage: Tents remind God’s people that they are “strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). Historical and Cultural Notes Nomadic life was central to early Near-Eastern society. Pitching a tent involved selecting ground with adequate water, pasture, and safety. In patriarchal narratives, tents also functioned as family centers (Genesis 18) and legal spaces. Isaiah’s oracle resonates with Arabic and Bedouin customs, for itinerant tribes routinely encamped on open ground. The prophecy thus strikes the imagination of ancient hearers: even the most adaptable wanderers will avoid desolated Babylon. Ministry Applications • Discernment: Modern believers must examine where they “pitch their tent”—vocationally, relationally, and morally. Typological Glimpses The tabernacle (mishkan) is God’s own tent among His people, culminating in the incarnation: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). Believers likewise await the moment when “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). Thus the simple act of pitching a tent anticipates the ultimate, permanent dwelling—God with His redeemed forever. Conclusion Strong’s Hebrew 167, though appearing only three times, threads together key biblical concepts: pilgrimage versus permanence, faithful worship versus worldly compromise, and temporal judgment versus everlasting hope. Every instance invites reflection on where and how one chooses to dwell until the promised kingdom is fully revealed. Forms and Transliterations וַיֶּאֱהַ֖ל וַיֶּאֱהַ֣ל ויאהל יַהֵ֥ל יהל vaiyeeHal way·ye·’ĕ·hal wayye’ĕhal ya·hêl yaHel yahêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 13:12 HEB: בְּעָרֵ֣י הַכִּכָּ֔ר וַיֶּאֱהַ֖ל עַד־ סְדֹֽם׃ NAS: of the valley, and moved his tents as far KJV: of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward INT: the cities of the valley and moved far Sodom Genesis 13:18 Isaiah 13:20 3 Occurrences |
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