שִׁיחוֹר לִבְנָת (shi.chor liv.nat)
shi.chor liv.nat
Shihor-libnath
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Shihor-libnath is a proper noun designating a specific waterway within the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher. The name appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Joshua 19:26 as part of the boundary description for this northern inheritance.
Linguistically, the compound name presents an apparent paradox. The first element, Shihor, typically means "blackness" or refers to dark, muddy water, while the second, livnath, derives from a root meaning "whiteness." Together, they translate roughly to "blackness of whiteness," a striking oxymoron that likely describes the stream’s visual character—perhaps clear water flowing through dark soil, or silted water against bright banks.
This single occurrence anchors the word in geographical history rather than theological metaphor. Unlike other biblical rivers that carry symbolic weight, Shihor-libnath serves primarily as a landmark, helping to define the borders of Asher’s land without further narrative development or spiritual allegory.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Joshua 19:26 lists Shihor-libnath as a boundary marker for the tribe of Asher. This name, meaning "blackness of whiteness," describes a specific stream in northern Israel. The text uses this geographical detail to show how carefully God assigned land to His people.
For your faith, this reminds us that God cares about the details of our lives. He knows the specific places and circumstances we face. Just as He marked these borders with precision, He provides structure and stability in our own journeys.
We can trust that God is faithful to His promises. Even when life feels complex or unclear, He remains present in every part of our story. This historical record invites us to rest in the certainty of His care for us today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <on>/ Shihor1×
- Libnath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִבְנָֽת\׃1×
- וּ/בְ/שִׁיח֖וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 19:26
Allammelech, Amad, Mishal. It reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath.
This verse identifies Shihor-libnath as the western boundary point near Carmel, showing how it defined the extent of Asher's inheritance.