Lexical Summary Chammoth Dor: "Hot Springs of Dor" Original Word: חַמֹּת דֹּאר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hamath-Dor From the plural of chammah and Dowr; hot springs of Dor; Chammath-Dor, a place in Palestine -- Hamath-Dor. see HEBREW chammah see HEBREW Dowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chammah and Dor Definition a Levitical city in Naphtali NASB Translation Hammoth-dor (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַמֹּת דּאֹר proper name, of a location in Naphtali, Levitical city Joshua 21:32 (perhaps = 1. חַמַּת, חַמּוֺן 2 see Di), ᵐ5 Νεμμαθ, A Εμαθδωρ, ᵐ5L Αμαθδωρ. Topical Lexicon Location and Etymology Hammoth Dor (חַמֹּת דֹּאר) denotes “Hot Springs of Dor,” identifying a site distinguished by its thermal waters near the coastal town of Dor, south of Mount Carmel and west of the Plain of Jezreel. The plural חַמֹּת (chammoth, “hot springs”) paired with Dor links the inland springs to the well-known maritime settlement, indicating either civic dependency or shared administrative district in the Late Bronze and Iron Age periods. Biblical Occurrence • Joshua 21:32 lists Hammoth Dor among the four Levitical cities allotted to the Gershonite clan within the territory of Naphtali: “They received … Kedesh in Galilee—a city of refuge for the manslayer—Hammoth Dor, and Kartan, together with their pasturelands”. Though mentioned only once, its singular placement in the Levitical distribution underscores its theological and covenantal importance. Tribal and Levitical Significance 1. Tribal Context: Naphtali’s inheritance stretched from the Sea of Galilee to the Phoenician coast, encompassing both fertile valleys and strategic corridors. Hammoth Dor’s springs provided a healthful resource and a waypoint between inland and coastal trade routes. Historical and Geographic Background Archaeological surveys suggest identification with modern Hammat Tiberias on the southwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee or with Tell el-’Agul near Dor. Both locations feature enduring hot springs and attest to continuous settlement from the Late Bronze Age through the Roman period. Egyptian execration texts and the Amarna letters reference “Duur” (Dor), indicating its prominence in Canaanite maritime commerce. The juxtaposition of a Levitical enclave alongside a Canaanite port reinforces Israel’s divine mandate to be “a kingdom of priests” amid the nations (Exodus 19:6). Theological Reflections • God’s Provision: By installing Levites in regions renowned for natural bounty (healing springs) and international exchange, the Lord exhibited His care both for the priestly tribe and for the broader covenant community—a tangible reminder that spiritual refreshment accompanies physical blessing. Ministry Applications 1. Community Health: Just as ancient travelers sought Hammoth Dor’s therapeutic waters, local churches today can leverage practical acts of care to open doors for gospel proclamation (Galatians 6:10). Archaeological and Prophetic Considerations Excavations at Hammat Tiberias have exposed synagogue mosaics depicting the Torah ark flanked by motifs of the sun and seasons—artistic echoes of both Israel’s heritage and broader Hellenistic culture. Such finds testify that even after the exile, communities near ancient Hammoth Dor retained a vibrant commitment to Scripture while interacting with surrounding nations—foreshadowing the prophetic hope that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14). Conclusion Though Hammoth Dor appears only once in the canonical text, its role as a Levitical city at the junction of spiritual service, natural healing, and cross-cultural exchange renders it a microcosm of Israel’s purpose and the Church’s ongoing mission: to manifest holiness, hospitality, and wholeness in every place the Lord provides. Forms and Transliterations דֹּאר֙ דאר doR dōrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 21:32 HEB: וְאֶת־ חַמֹּ֥ת דֹּאר֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ NAS: lands and Hammoth-dor with its pasture lands KJV: for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, INT: Galilee pasture and Hammoth-dor lands and Kartan |
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