רָמֹת (ra.mot gi.l.ad)
ra.mot gi.l.ad
Ramoth (Gilead)
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Ramoth, specifically referring to Ramoth-gilead, translates simply to "heights." This geographic descriptor accurately reflects its location on the elevated plateau of Gilead, a region known for its rugged terrain and strategic vantage points in the ancient Near East.
While the name appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, its most significant biblical association is with the city designated as one of the Levitical cities. This designation highlights its role not merely as a fortified outpost, but as a settled community where priests and Levites resided, serving the spiritual needs of the surrounding tribes.
The sources indicate that this specific entry corresponds to the location mentioned in Joshua 20:8, where it is listed among the cities of refuge. In this context, the "heights" provided a place of asylum for those who had committed manslaughter, illustrating how the physical elevation of the city paralleled its function as a high place of legal protection and mercy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Ramoth means “heights,” and its name fits its location on the plateau of Gilead. But the city’s real high ground came from its calling: it was a city of refuge, set apart so anyone who had taken a life by accident could run there and find safety. That ancient arrangement still speaks. God carved out a space where justice and mercy met. When guilt or shame looms—whether from a mistake you made or a burden you never meant to carry—Scripture whispers that there is a place to go. Not a map-point, but a Person. Christ is our city of refuge, the living height where every charge against us falls silent.
Joshua 21:38 names Ramoth as a gift of land to the Levites, with pasturelands attached. So this refuge wasn’t just a courtroom haven; it was a home, surrounded by priests who lived and prayed daily. That means God’s protection is not remote. He welcomes you into ordinary provision, not simply legal clearance. Whatever weighs on your heart tonight, the door stands open. You can stop running and start breathing. Run to those mercy-heights and find rest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ramoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָמֹ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 21:38
Out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
This verse identifies Ramoth as a city of refuge, showing how a literal “height” became a place of merciful protection for the unintentional killer.