Definition and Etymology:
Cabul is a term found in the Old Testament, referring to both a city and a region. The name "Cabul" is thought to mean "displeasing" or "as good as nothing," which is reflective of its context in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:
1. Cabul as a Region:
Cabul is mentioned in the context of a transaction between King Solomon and Hiram, the king of Tyre. In 1 Kings 9:10-14 , it is recorded that Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee as a gesture of gratitude for the cedar and cypress timber, as well as gold, that Hiram had provided for the construction of the Temple and Solomon's palace. However, when Hiram came to inspect the cities, he was displeased with them and called the area "Cabul," which suggests dissatisfaction. The passage reads:
"Now at the end of the twenty years during which Solomon built these two houses, the house of the LORD and the royal palace, King Solomon gave twenty cities in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar, cypress, and gold as he desired. So Hiram went out from Tyre to look over the cities that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them. 'What are these cities you have given me, my brother?' asked Hiram. And he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are called to this day."

2. Cabul as a City:
Cabul is also mentioned as a city in the territory of the tribe of Asher. In Joshua 19:27 , the city is listed as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Asher:
"It then turned toward the sunrise to Beth-dagon, reached Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah-el, and went north to Beth-emek and Neiel, and continued to Cabul on the left."

Historical and Geographical Context:
The region of Cabul, associated with the cities given to Hiram, is located in the area of Galilee, which is in the northern part of ancient Israel. The dissatisfaction of Hiram with these cities may reflect their perceived lack of value or strategic importance at the time. The city of Cabul in the territory of Asher is less prominently featured in biblical narratives, but its inclusion in the tribal allotments indicates its existence and significance within the tribal boundaries.

Theological Significance:
The account of Cabul in 1 Kings highlights the diplomatic and economic relationships between Israel and its neighbors during Solomon's reign. It underscores the importance of alliances and the exchange of resources in the ancient Near East. The narrative also reflects on the subjective nature of value and satisfaction, as what was considered a generous gift by Solomon was deemed inadequate by Hiram.

Archaeological Insights:
While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Cabul is limited, the general region of Galilee has been extensively studied, revealing insights into the settlement patterns and material culture of the time. The identification of ancient sites in the area continues to be a subject of scholarly research.

Cultural and Historical Impact:
The account of Cabul serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of meeting expectations. It also illustrates the broader geopolitical dynamics of the ancient world, where land and resources were central to power and influence.Cabul

displeasing; dirty

Cabul

1. One of the landmarks on the boundary of Asher, (Joshua 19:27) now Kabul , 9 or 10 miles east of Accho .
2. Name of the land given to Hiram by Solomon. (1 Kings 9:10-13)

Cabul

Probably meaning displeasing,

1. A name given by Hiram king of Tyre to a district in Northern Galilee containing twenty cities, which Solomon gave him for his help in building the temple, 1 Kings 9:13; the term implying his dissatisfaction with the gift.

2. A city of Asher, Joshua 19:27.

How little! as nothing.

(1.) A town on the eastern border of Asher (Joshua 19:27), probably one of the towns given by Solomon to Hiram; the modern Kabul, some 8 miles east of Accho, on the very borders of Galilee.

(2.) A district in the north-west of Galilee, near to Tyre, containing twenty cities given to Hiram by Solomon as a reward for various services rendered to him in building the temple (1 Kings 9:13), and as payment of the six score talents of gold he had borrowed from him. Hiram gave the cities this name because he was not pleased with the gift, the name signifying "good for nothing." Hiram seems afterwards to have restored these cities to Solomon (2 Chronicles 8:2).

CABUL

ka'-bul (kabhul; Codex Vaticanus, Chobamasomel; Codex Alexandrinus, Chabol apo aristeron):

(1) A city on the boundary between Asher and Zebulun (Joshua 19:27). It corresponds to the Chabolo of Josephus (Vita, 43, etc.), and is represented by the modern village Kabul, about nine miles Southeast of Acre.

(2) A district probably connected with (1), containing 20 cities, given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre (1 Kings 9:10).

3521. Kabul -- a city in Asher, also a region in Galilee
... 3520, 3521. Kabul. 3522 . a city in Asher, also a region in Galilee.
Transliteration: Kabul Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-bool') Short Definition: Cabul. ... Cabul. ...
/hebrew/3521.htm - 6k

How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ...
... like the gift, he sent word to Solomon that he did not want such cities as they
were; and after that time these cities were called the land of Cabul; which name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how solomon built.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... PARTHIA, or PERSIA, embraced the country lying between the Tigris and the Indus,
with Mesopotamia and Chaldea; what we now call Persia, Cabul, and Belochistan ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

Carey's Family and Friends
... "I have been thinking of a mission to the Ten Tribes of Israel, I mean the Afghans,
who inhabit Cabul...I leave the other side for your mother to write a few ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter viii careys family and.htm

The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
... of the present chief, Gooldad Khan, told me he could remember well, as a youth,
being sent by his father and elder brother with a string of Cabul horses to the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter x the wyclif of.htm

The Iranian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Cabul (2 Occurrences)
... 8:2). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CABUL. ka'-bul (kabhul ... 9:10).
Multi-Version Concordance Cabul (2 Occurrences). Joshua 19:27 ...
/c/cabul.htm - 8k

Neiel (1 Occurrence)
... el (ne`i'el; Codex Vaticanus Inael; Codex Alexandrinus Aniel): A town on the boundary
between Zebulun and Asher mentioned between Jiftah-el and Cabul (Joshua 19 ...
/n/neiel.htm - 7k

Bethemek (1 Occurrence)
... It has not been identified, but must be sought somewhere East of Acre, not far from
Kabul, the ancient Cabul. Multi-Version Concordance Bethemek (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/bethemek.htm - 7k

Beth-emek (1 Occurrence)
... It has not been identified, but must be sought somewhere East of Acre, not
far from Kabul, the ancient Cabul. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/beth-emek.htm - 7k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... Hiram was dissatisfied with the gift, and called it "the land of Cabul" (qv). ...
Cabul here named must be identical with that of Joshua 19:27. ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
... toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun and to the valley of
Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it went out to Cabul on the left ...
/z/zeb'ulun.htm - 16k

Nei'el (1 Occurrence)
... toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun and to the valley of
Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it went out to Cabul on the left ...
/n/nei'el.htm - 6k

Jiphthah-el (2 Occurrences)
... towards the sun-rising to Beth-Dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley
of Jiphthah-el northward to Beth-emek and Neiel, and went out to Cabul on the ...
/j/jiphthah-el.htm - 7k

Jiphthahel (2 Occurrences)
... sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel
toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the ...
/j/jiphthahel.htm - 7k

Iphtahel (2 Occurrences)
... toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of
Iphtah-el northward to Beth-emek and Neiel; and it went out to Cabul on the ...
/i/iphtahel.htm - 7k

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