Lexical Summary Choronayim: Horonaim Original Word: חֹרֹנַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Horonaim Dual of a derivative from chowr; double cave-town; Choronajim, a place in Moab -- Horonaim. see HEBREW chowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Beth (in part) Definition "two hollows," a place in Moab NASB Translation Horonaim (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֹרוֺנַיִם, חֹרֹנַיִם proper name, of a location (possibly two hollows, caves, ravines, see בֵּית חוֺרֹן) — דֶּרֶךְ חרונים Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:3, מוֺרַד חֹרוֺנָ֑יִם Jeremiah 48:5, חֹרֹנַיִם Jeremiah 48:34, city of Moab; = MI31,32 חורנן (i.e. probably חוֺרֹנֵן); ᵐ5 Αρωνιειμ, Ωρωνσιμ. — On חֹרֹנַיִם ᵐ5 Joshua 13:10,11; 2 Samuel 13:34 see We Dr and בֵּית חוֺרֹן. Topical Lexicon Name and Location Choronaim was a settlement in the northern region of ancient Moab, east of the Dead Sea. The terrain surrounding it features steep ascents and descents (cf. Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:5), indicating a site perched above nearby valleys. Archaeological proposals commonly place it near modern Khirbet Sar or at a neighboring ruin on the southern edge of the Arnon Gorge, close to the strategic north–south highway that connected Moab with Edom and the Jordan Valley. Biblical Occurrences 1. Isaiah 15:5 All four passages belong to oracles against Moab, two centuries apart. Isaiah prophesied during Assyria’s ascendancy (eighth century B.C.), while Jeremiah addressed Moab shortly before Babylon’s conquest (early sixth century B.C.). The repetition across generations shows that Choronaim retained enough significance to warrant prophetic mention long after Isaiah’s day. Historical Context Moab’s prosperity rested on fertile tablelands, ample water, and control of trade routes. Choronaim appears in the biblical record at moments when Moab faced devastating invasion. Isaiah’s oracle likely anticipates Sennacherib’s western campaign (circa 701 B.C.), which destabilized every kingdom in the region. Jeremiah’s prophecy coincides with Nebuchadnezzar’s push through Trans-Jordan (circa 582 B.C.), leading to Moab’s downfall. Choronaim’s location on the main ascent from the Jordan plain explains why refugees and armies alike converged on its roadways. Prophetic Significance for Moab Isaiah 15:5 depicts Moabite fugitives ascending Luhith and weeping “on the road to Choronaim,” a scene of mass flight. Jeremiah echoes the same imagery: For Moab, Choronaim became a byword for dread. Its mention frames the start (Jeremiah 48:3) and the spread (48:34) of judgment. The double reference to both ascent and descent underscores total upheaval: no direction offered safe passage. Theological Themes 1. Certainty of Divine Judgment. Choronaim exemplifies how God’s word, spoken by Isaiah, still stood intact when Jeremiah echoed it 150 years later (cf. Numbers 23:19). Lessons for Believers • Repeated prophecy fulfilled across generations calls the church to rest in the steadfastness of Scripture (2 Peter 1:19). Key Passages for Study and Reflection Hebrews 6:17 - 20 Forms and Transliterations חֹ֣רֹנַ֔יִם חוֹרֹנַ֔יִם חורנים חרנים מֵחֹֽרוֹנָ֑יִם מחרונים choroNayim ḥō·rō·na·yim ḥō·w·rō·na·yim ḥōrōnayim ḥōwrōnayim mê·ḥō·rō·w·nā·yim mechoroNayim mêḥōrōwnāyimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 15:5 HEB: כִּ֚י דֶּ֣רֶךְ חוֹרֹנַ֔יִם זַעֲקַת־ שֶׁ֖בֶר NAS: on the road to Horonaim they raise KJV: for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up INT: Surely the road to Horonaim A cry over ruin Jeremiah 48:3 Jeremiah 48:5 Jeremiah 48:34 4 Occurrences |
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