1705. Daberath
Lexical Summary
Daberath: Daberath

Original Word: דֲּבְרַת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Dabrath
Pronunciation: dah-beh-RAHTH
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-ber-ath')
KJV: Dabareh, Daberath
NASB: Daberath
Word Origin: [from H1697 (דָּבָר - word) (perhaps in the sense of H1699 (דּוֹבֶר דִּבֵּר - Word))]

1. Daberath, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Dabareh, Daberath

From dabar (perhaps in the sense of dober); Daberath, a place in Palestine -- Dabareh, Daberath.

see HEBREW dabar

see HEBREW dober

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dabar
Definition
a Levitical city in Issachar
NASB Translation
Daberath (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
דָּֽבְרַת proper name, of a location Levitical city in Issachar, the present Debûrije at the foot of Mt. Tabor (RobBR iii. 210 BdPal 249) Joshua 19:12 (הַדָּֽבְרַת) Joshua 21:28; 1 Chronicles 6:57.

Topical Lexicon
Location and Geographic Setting

Daberath lay on the western slope of Mount Tabor, overlooking the broad Jezreel Valley. The site is widely identified with modern Daburiyah, a village that still nestles against Tabor’s foot. Its position placed it at a natural junction between the Galilean highlands and the great plain, making it strategically significant for travel, trade, and military movements throughout Israel’s history.

Tribal Allocation and Levitical Function

Although the town marks the eastern border of Zebulun (Joshua 19:12), it was assigned as a Levitical city to the Gershonite clan within the tribal territory of Naphtali (Joshua 21:28; 1 Chronicles 6:72). This dual notation illustrates the way Levitical holdings often cut across tribal boundaries, ensuring priestly presence among the tribes without undermining the territorial integrity promised to each.

Berean Standard Bible, Joshua 21:28: “From the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan, together with their pasturelands.” (The Hebrew text underlying verse 28 includes Daberath; the groups the smaller pasture-towns under Kedesh’s allotment, reflecting an ancient textual tradition.)

Historical Background

1. During the conquest era, Daberath stood in the northern theatre of Joshua’s campaigns. Its proximity to Mount Tabor—a landmark that rises abruptly from the plain—made it an easily recognized border point when tribal lots were drawn.
2. The Levitical transfer placed members of Gershon’s line—tasked with transporting the tabernacle coverings (Numbers 4:24–26)—in a region where Israel often battled Canaanite forces (Judges 4:6). Priestly presence there affirmed that worship and warfare were never divorced in Israel’s life; covenant fidelity undergirded national security.
3. Later historical references are sparse, but extra-biblical sources such as Eusebius’ Onomasticon (fourth century A.D.) still mention Dabeira near Tabor, suggesting unbroken settlement into the Christian era.

Ministry Significance

• A Pattern of Proximity: Daberath’s situation between Zebulun and Naphtali echoes the prophetic promise that “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali… the people walking in darkness will see a great light” (Isaiah 9:1–2). Centuries later, Jesus ministered in Galilee, fulfilling that word (Matthew 4:13–16). Thus a modest Levitical town at Tabor’s base indirectly foreshadowed the Messiah’s Galilean activity.
• Integration of Worship and Daily Life: By granting pasturelands (“open land” in several translations) to the Levites around Daberath, Scripture models how spiritual leaders were provided for without owning tribal territory. The arrangement balanced material support with continual reminder that the LORD Himself was their inheritance (Deuteronomy 18:2).
• Borderland Witness: Cities positioned on tribal edges functioned as bridges rather than barriers. Levites stationed in such locales taught the Law, settled disputes, and mediated worship for neighboring tribes, fostering unity within God’s people.

Archaeological and Modern Insights

Excavations on Mount Tabor’s slopes have produced pottery from Bronze and Iron Age horizons, consistent with a long-lived settlement. While no inscription naming Daberath has surfaced, the enduring Arabic form “Daburiyah” preserves the ancient consonants. Pilgrim reports from the Byzantine period mention a church dedicated to the Transfiguration on Tabor’s summit and agricultural terraces below, suggesting the area retained religious significance well into Christian times.

Lessons for Today

1. Strategic Smallness: Daberath never achieved the fame of Jerusalem or Hebron, yet Scripture records it because every place and people incorporated into God’s plan carry lasting value.
2. Faithful Presence: The Levites at Daberath, though few, modeled enduring service. Contemporary ministry likewise thrives when believers inhabit the “borderlands” of culture—places where different worlds meet—and live out covenant truth.
3. Stewardship without Possession: The town reminds the Church that gospel workers may be entrusted with resources yet remain free from possessiveness, echoing Paul’s charge to Timothy to be “content with food and clothing” (1 Timothy 6:8).

Daberath’s three brief mentions create a window into Israel’s land allotment, Levitical ministry, and God’s broader redemptive account centered in Galilee. The town’s obscurity highlights the Lord’s delight in using hidden corners to advance His purposes.

Forms and Transliterations
דָּֽבְרַ֖ת דָּבְרַ֖ת דברת הַדָּֽבְרַ֖ת הדברת dā·ḇə·raṯ dāḇəraṯ daveRat had·dā·ḇə·raṯ haddāḇəraṯ haddaveRat
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 19:12
HEB: וְיָצָ֥א אֶל־ הַדָּֽבְרַ֖ת וְעָלָ֥ה יָפִֽיעַ׃
NAS: and it proceeded to Daberath and up to Japhia.
KJV: and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up
INT: proceeded to Daberath up to Japhia

Joshua 21:28
HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑הָ אֶת־ דָּֽבְרַ֖ת וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁהָ׃
NAS: lands, Daberath with its pasture lands,
KJV: with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
INT: Kishion pasture Daberath lands

1 Chronicles 6:72
HEB: מִגְרָשֶׁ֑יהָ אֶת־ דָּבְרַ֖ת וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃
NAS: lands, Daberath with its pasture lands
KJV: with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
INT: Kedesh pasture Daberath lands

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1705
3 Occurrences


dā·ḇə·raṯ — 2 Occ.
had·dā·ḇə·raṯ — 1 Occ.

1704
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