אַלּוֹן בָּכוּת (al.lon ba.khut)
al.lon ba.khut
Allon-bacuth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase Allon-bacuth, meaning "oak of weeping," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, located in Genesis 35:8. It identifies a specific landmark near Bethel where Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah, was buried and mourned. The name itself is descriptive, combining the word for oak with a term for weeping to mark this site of grief.
This single occurrence serves as a poignant historical marker within the narrative of Jacob’s return to Bethel. It highlights the personal loss accompanying the family’s journey, preserving the memory of a loyal servant who had served Rebekah. The text uses this location to anchor the emotional weight of the moment, showing that even in times of divine promise and relocation, human sorrow remains part of the story.
Translators typically render Allon-bacuth as "oak of weeping" or similar phrases to preserve the literal meaning found in the Hebrew. Because the word appears exclusively here, it offers no broader lexical range but stands as a unique geographical and emotional detail in the patriarchal accounts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The phrase Allon-bacuth, meaning "oak of weeping," appears only once in Scripture, marking the burial place of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse (Genesis 35:8). This specific tree served as a solemn memorial for a loyal servant who had cared for the matriarch of Israel. It reminds us that grief is a natural part of life, even when we are moving forward in faith.
God’s promises often unfold alongside human loss. The narrative does not hide this sorrow but honors it by naming the place. We can find comfort knowing that our tears and memories are seen and valued by God. He walks with us through seasons of mourning, just as He guided Jacob to Bethel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bacuth1×
- Allon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּכֽוּת\׃\ \פ1×
- אַלּ֥וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 35:8
Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth.
This verse uniquely establishes the name Allon-bacuth as a permanent memorial for Deborah’s death and burial.