1829. Dimnah
Lexical Summary
Dimnah: Dimnah

Original Word: דִּמְנָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Dimnah
Pronunciation: dim-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (dim-naw')
KJV: Dimnah
NASB: Dimnah
Word Origin: [feminine from the same as H1828 (דּוֹמֶן - dung)]

1. a dung-heap
2. Dimnah, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Dimnah

Feminine from the same as domen; a dung-heap; Dimnah, a place in Palestine -- Dimnah.

see HEBREW domen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as domen
Definition
a Levitical city in Zebulun
NASB Translation
Dimnah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
דִּמְנָה proper name, of a location Levitical city in Zebulun Joshua 21:35 (but read perhaps רִמֹּנָה +; compare 1 Chronicles 6:62; Joshua 19:13, and see Di).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical References

Joshua 21:35 records the sole appearance of the town: “Dimnah with its pasturelands, and Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities in all.” The parallel catalog in 1 Chronicles 6:77 reads “Rimmono,” reflecting a common scribal interchange of ד and ר.

Location and Allotment

Dimnah lay within the tribal inheritance of Zebulun in Lower Galilee, probably west of the Jezreel Valley and near Nahalal. Though the exact site has not been confirmed archaeologically, several scholars connect it with modern Ruʾmânah or a nearby ruin, fitting the topography implied by the Levitical boundary lists. Its placement in fertile hill country explains the emphasis on “pasturelands,” crucial for sustaining the livestock of Levitical households.

Levitical Function

Dimnah was one of four towns assigned to the clan of Merari, the last-named division of Levi (Numbers 3:33-37). The Merarites cared for the heaviest structural components of the tabernacle—boards, bars, pillars, bases—symbolizing stability and support in Israel’s worship. By granting them towns such as Dimnah, the LORD fulfilled His promise that Levites would have “no inheritance among their brothers” yet would be provided for through scattered dwelling places (Deuteronomy 18:1-2; Numbers 35:1-8). Dimnah therefore illustrates the divine principle that those who serve at the altar live off the altar (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

Textual Considerations

The Chronicles form “Rimmono” does not undermine textual reliability but demonstrates known processes of transmission:
• Orthographic similarity of ד/ר in Hebrew scripts.
• Possible assimilation to the more common place-name “Rimmon.”

Such variations remain minor and do not alter the historical or theological substance of the narrative.

Historical Significance

After the conquest, Levi’s dispersion through towns like Dimnah ensured that priestly instruction permeated every tribe. From these centers Levites taught Torah (2 Chronicles 17:7-9), led worship (1 Chronicles 16:4-6), and adjudicated legal matters (Deuteronomy 17:9). Dimnah thus contributed to the covenantal fabric by rooting spiritual ministry in daily community life.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Provision: God’s meticulous care for the Levites mirrors His detailed concern for all covenant members (Matthew 6:31-33).
2. Holiness in the Ordinary: Even an obscure village is consecrated when set apart for sacred service, foreshadowing the New Testament truth that believers themselves become living temples (1 Peter 2:5).
3. Distributed Witness: The scattering of Levites anticipates the church’s calling to be a dispersed but unified priesthood, proclaiming God’s excellencies throughout the world (Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 2:9).

Practical Applications

• Support for Ministry: Dimnah reminds congregations to provide tangible resources for those devoted to teaching and worship leadership.
• Faithfulness in Obscurity: Though mentioned only once, its inclusion in Scripture encourages believers serving in hidden places that their labor is known to God.
• Integrated Community: The Levitical model urges local churches to embed discipleship, worship, and justice within everyday neighborhood life rather than relegating spiritual activity to centralized venues alone.

Dimnah’s brief biblical footprint therefore expands into a rich testimony of God’s provision, the sanctity of place, and the enduring call to serve faithfully wherever He assigns.

Forms and Transliterations
דִּמְנָה֙ דמנה dim·nāh dimNah dimnāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 21:35
HEB: אֶת־ דִּמְנָה֙ וְאֶת־ מִגְרָשֶׁ֔הָ
NAS: Dimnah with its pasture lands,
KJV: Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal
INT: Dimnah pasture Nahalal

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1829
1 Occurrence


dim·nāh — 1 Occ.

1828
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