Lexical Summary Yoqmeam: Jokmeam Original Word: יָקְמְעָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jokmeam From quwm and am; (the) people will be raised; Jokmeam, a place in Palestine -- Jokmeam. Compare Yqam'am, Yoqn'am. see HEBREW quwm see HEBREW am see HEBREW Yqam'am see HEBREW Yoqn'am NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qum and am Definition "let the people be established," a city in N. Isr. NASB Translation Jokmeam (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָקְמְעָם proper name, of a location (perhaps = יְקָמְעָם i.e. יָ֫קָם עָם Ol§ 277k, 3; = let the people be established ? compare GrayProp. N. 218); — in Northern Israel 1 Kings 4:12, Λουκαμ, ᵐ5L Ουκαμ; possibly = modern Tel Kaimûn, north of Megiddo, BuhlGeogr. 210; city of refuge in Ephraim 1 Chronicles 6:53 ( = קִבְצַיִם [q. v.] Joshua 21:22), Ικααμ, Ιεκμααν, etc. קוֺנֵן see קין. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingJokmeam lay in the hill country that slopes down toward the Jezreel Valley, on the western side of the River Jordan watershed. Most identify it with the modern tell of Yokneʽam (Tell Qeimun), strategically perched near Mount Carmel and commanding the passes that link the coastal plain with the interior valleys. Its proximity to Taanach, Megiddo, Beth-shean, and Abel-meholah places it on the northern edge of the territory later administered by Solomon’s official Baana son of Ahilud (1 Kings 4:12). The fertile lowlands below provided grain and pasture, while the rise of Carmel at its back created a natural defensive stronghold. Biblical Occurrences 1 Kings 4:12 names Jokmeam as the limit of one of Solomon’s twelve administrative districts: “from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah as far as Jokmeam”. 1 Chronicles 6:68 lists the town among four Levitical cities in the tribal allotment of Ephraim: “Jokmeam, Beth-horon, Aijalon, and Gath Rimmon—four towns”. Administrative and Tribal Significance Under Solomon, the realm was divided into districts whose prefects supplied provisions for the royal court one month each year. The mention of Jokmeam in this context attests to its economic value—its grain, olives, and cattle contributing to royal stores—and to the stability of Solomon’s reign, when boundaries could be defined by well-known towns. Chronicles notes that Jokmeam fell within Ephraim yet was set apart for the Kohathite Levites. This dual identity—tribally Ephraimite, yet ecclesiastically Levitical—illustrates the cooperative relationship mandated by the law between Israel’s tribes and the priestly clan who “had no inheritance among their brothers” (Deuteronomy 10:9). The surrounding Ephraimites farmed the land; the resident Levites taught the law and supervised worship in nearby shrines until the Temple centralized sacrifice. Levitical Allocation and Ministry Kohathite Levites stationed in Jokmeam supported the Temple liturgy in Jerusalem three times a year and rendered judgment and teaching in the locality the rest of the time. Their presence guaranteed that even agrarian centers distant from the capital heard the reading of Torah, witnessed covenantal justice, and had counsel in matters of purity, marriage, and vows. The pairing of Jokmeam with Beth-horon and Aijalon—all gatekeeper towns along major routes—suggests a network by which Levites could move readily to Jerusalem or be dispatched for itinerant ministry. Historical and Archaeological Considerations Excavations at Tell Qeimun have uncovered Iron-Age fortifications, storage silos, and pottery indicating continuous occupation throughout the united-monarchy period. While the Bible never records a major battle there, its oversight of the Via Maris and the road to Jezreel secured the northern approaches to Samaria and Jezreel. The stronghold likely changed hands in periods of Assyrian and Babylonian expansion, yet its name reappears in later provincial lists under the Persians, showing its endurance. Spiritual Themes and Lessons 1. Covenant Stewardship: Jokmeam’s resources supported both king and priest. Political and spiritual structures were not rivals but partners in honoring God’s covenant with Israel. Messianic and Redemptive Foreshadowing Levitical towns like Jokmeam prefigure the scattering of gospel witnesses. Just as Levites were sprinkled through Israel to preserve knowledge of Yahweh, so the risen Christ scatters disciples “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Kohathites’ service anticipates the priesthood of all believers, who “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Application for Believers Today • Integrate vocation and worship: Jokmeam’s fields and its Levitical teaching center operated side by side, urging modern Christians to weave faith into everyday labor. Though referenced only briefly, Jokmeam stands as a witness to divine order in geography, governance, and ministry—its twin notices in Kings and Chronicles quietly affirming that every place and people assigned by God bears eternal significance. Forms and Transliterations יָקְמְעָם֙ יקמעם לְיָקְמֳעָֽם׃ ליקמעם׃ lə·yā·qə·mo·‘ām leyakemoAm ləyāqəmo‘ām yā·qə·mə·‘ām yakemeAm yāqəmə‘āmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 4:12 HEB: עַ֖ד מֵעֵ֥בֶר לְיָקְמֳעָֽם׃ ס NAS: as far as the other side of Jokmeam; KJV: [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam: INT: far as the other of Jokmeam 1 Chronicles 6:68 2 Occurrences |
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