Lexical Summary Atsmon: Atsmon Original Word: עַצְמוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Azmon Or iatsmon {ats-mone'}; from Etsem; bone-like; Atsmon, a place near Palestine -- Azmon. see HEBREW Etsem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom atsom Definition a place on the S. border of Canaan NASB Translation Azmon (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַצְמֹוֺן proper name, of a location Ασε(λ)μωνα on extreme southern border of Canaan, Numbers 34:5, with ה locative עַצְמֹ֫נָה Numbers 34:4, עַצְמ֫וֺנָה Joshua 15:4. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingAzmon lies on the extreme south-west frontier of the Promised Land, marking the point where the border turns from the wilderness of Zin toward the Brook of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish). Turning south-west from Kadesh-barnea, the line runs through Hazar-addar to Azmon, then angles north-west to the Mediterranean. The site is commonly associated with the springs of ʿAin Quseimeh or nearby ʿAin el-Gusaymeh at the northern edge of the Sinai Peninsula—an oasis offering water, pasture and strategic control of the caravan route that skirted the desert. Biblical Occurrences Numbers 34:4 records the first appearance: “It will proceed to Hazar-addar and go on to Azmon”. Verse 5 adds, “From Azmon it will turn to the Brook of Egypt, where it will end at the Sea.” Joshua 15:4 repeats the same description in assigning Judah’s southern border. All three references occur in formal boundary lists and provide no narrative beyond that purpose. Historical Significance for Israel 1. Boundary Stone of Covenant Promise When Moses defined the inheritance of the tribes, Azmon served as a fixed landmark testifying that the land grant was concrete, not mythical. The precision of the border list underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, who not only promises but delineates. 2. Military and Administrative Relevance Control of Azmon meant command of the southern gateway into Canaan. Whether Egyptian armies, Philistine traders, or nomadic tribes, traffic funneled past this waypoint. Judah’s later fortifications along the Negev likely included outposts near Azmon to secure the border and monitor commerce. 3. Linking Wilderness and Inheritance The border transitions from the “wilderness of Zin” to cultivated territory at Azmon, symbolically marking the end of desert wanderings and the beginning of settled life. The name, traditionally connected with “strength of bone,” hints at the solidity with which the Lord set Israel in place after the fragility of the wilderness years. Theological Themes and Ministry Applications • God’s meticulous care: By specifying landmarks such as Azmon, the Lord demonstrates that every tribe, family and individual has a God-appointed portion (Numbers 26:52-56). Believers today draw comfort that their “times are in His hands” (Psalms 31:15). • Boundaries as blessings: Rather than restrictions, the borders given at Azmon protected Israel from both assimilation and idolatry. Healthy spiritual boundaries continue to guard the church’s purity and mission (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). • From sojourning to standing firm: Israel moved from tents to territories. Likewise, disciples progress from instability to established service, becoming “steadfast, immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Azmon represents that secure footing. Archaeological and Traditional Identification Explorers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Robinson, Palmer, Beit-Arieh) proposed ʿAin Quseimeh, located about fifty miles south-west of Beersheba, as Azmon’s probable site. Pottery of Iron Age I–II has been recovered in the vicinity, indicating occupation consistent with early Israelite settlement. The presence of perennial springs aligns with the biblical implication that Azmon was a recognizable, enduring landmark. Lessons for Today Azmon reminds readers that God’s Word attends to detail, that divine promises intersect real geography, and that covenant people are called to inhabit their allotted sphere faithfully. Whether guarding doctrinal truth or stewarding personal callings, the example of a firmly fixed border in the far south of Judah encourages believers to stand strong where God has placed them. Forms and Transliterations מֵעַצְמ֖וֹן מעצמון עַצְמ֗וֹנָה עַצְמֹֽנָה׃ עצמונה עצמנה׃ ‘aṣ·mō·nāh ‘aṣ·mō·w·nāh ‘aṣmōnāh ‘aṣmōwnāh atzMonah mê‘aṣmōwn mê·‘aṣ·mō·wn meatzMonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 34:4 HEB: אַדָּ֖ר וְעָבַ֥ר עַצְמֹֽנָה׃ NAS: Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon. KJV: to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon: INT: Hazaraddar and continue to Azmon Numbers 34:5 Joshua 15:4 3 Occurrences |
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