North; North Country
LocationsGeographical Setting
A directional term and regional designation in ancient Near Eastern texts, often referring to the northern territories relative to Israel or Judah.
What is the meaning of North; North Country in the Bible?
The term 'north' functions as a cardinal direction and a metonym for northern kingdoms like Assyria and Babylonia in biblical texts, with the northern boundary of ancient Israelite settlements traditionally approximated by the latitude of Mount Hermon.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing 'the north' as a symbol of military invasion and divine judgment clarifies the geopolitical tensions and prophetic imagery directed against the southern kingdoms in the Hebrew Bible.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention North; North Country in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does North; North Country clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.