Diblaim
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Topical Encyclopedia
Diblaim is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Hosea. He is identified as the father of Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea. The name "Diblaim" is of Hebrew origin, and while its exact meaning is uncertain, it is often associated with the idea of "fig cakes" or "clusters of figs," which may imply abundance or sweetness.

Biblical Reference:

Diblaim is mentioned in Hosea 1:3: "So Hosea went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son."

Contextual Background:

The Book of Hosea is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament and is set during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, around the 8th century BC. Hosea's prophetic ministry occurred during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah, and Jeroboam II in Israel. The narrative of Hosea's marriage to Gomer serves as a symbolic representation of God's relationship with Israel. Gomer's unfaithfulness to Hosea mirrors Israel's spiritual adultery through idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.

Theological Significance:

Diblaim's mention, though brief, is significant in understanding the familial and societal context of Gomer. The marriage between Hosea and Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, is divinely orchestrated to illustrate the depth of God's love and commitment to His people despite their unfaithfulness. Hosea's relationship with Gomer, and by extension her father Diblaim, underscores the themes of redemption, judgment, and restoration that are central to Hosea's prophetic message.

Cultural and Historical Insights:

In ancient Israelite society, family lineage and names held considerable importance. The mention of Diblaim provides a glimpse into the familial background of Gomer, which may have been known to the original audience of the text. The name Diblaim, potentially meaning "fig cakes," could suggest a connection to agricultural prosperity or a metaphorical reference to the nature of Gomer's character or the circumstances of her family.

Interpretative Challenges:

The brevity of Diblaim's mention in the biblical text leaves much to interpretation and speculation. Some scholars suggest that the name Diblaim might have symbolic implications, aligning with the allegorical nature of Hosea's narrative. However, without additional biblical or historical records, interpretations remain largely conjectural.

Conclusion:

While Diblaim is a minor figure in the biblical narrative, his role as Gomer's father places him within the larger theological and symbolic framework of the Book of Hosea. His mention serves as a reminder of the intricate connections between personal relationships and divine messages in the biblical text.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Diblaim

cluster of figs

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Diblaim

(double cake), mother of Hosea's wife Gomer. (Hosea 1:3) (B.C. before 725.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Doubled cakes, the mother of Gomer, who was Hosea's wife (Hosea 1:3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DIBLAIM

dib'-la-im, dib-la'-im (dibhlayim, "two cakes"): A native of Northern Israel and father of Gomer, the wife of Hosea (Hosea 1:3).

Strong's Hebrew
1691. Diblayim -- the father-in-law of Hosea
... 1690, 1691. Diblayim. 1691a . the father-in-law of Hosea. Transliteration:
Diblayim Phonetic Spelling: (dib-lah'-yim) Short Definition: Diblaim. Diblaim ...
/hebrew/1691.htm - 5k

1691a. Diblayim -- the father-in-law of Hosea
... 1691, 1691a. Diblayim. 1691b . the father-in-law of Hosea. Transliteration:
Diblayim Short Definition: Diblaim. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/1691a.htm - 5k

Library

Letter Lxx. To Magnus an Orator of Rome.
... Hosea took a wife of whoredoms, Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and this
harlot bore him a son called Jezreel or the seed of God. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxx to magnus an.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy. <. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Thesaurus
Diblaim (1 Occurrence)
...DIBLAIM. dib'-la-im, dib-la'-im (dibhlayim, "two cakes"): A native of Northern Israel
and father of Gomer, the wife of Hosea (Hosea 1:3). ...Diblaim (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/diblaim.htm - 7k

Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Complete; vanishing. (1.) The daughter of Diblaim,
who (probably in vision only) became the wife of Hosea (1:3). ...
/g/gomer.htm - 11k

Dibla'im (1 Occurrence)
Dibla'im. Diblaim, Dibla'im. Diblath . ... Hosea 1:3 And he goeth and taketh Gomer
daughter of Diblaim, and she conceiveth and beareth to him a son; (See RSV). ...
/d/dibla'im.htm - 6k

Lo-ammi (2 Occurrences)
... lo-am'-i (lo'-`ammi, "not my people"): The 2nd son and 3rd child of Gomer bath-Diblaim,
wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:9). An earlier child, a daughter ...
/l/lo-ammi.htm - 8k

Loammi (1 Occurrence)
... lo-am'-i (lo'-`ammi, "not my people"): The 2nd son and 3rd child of Gomer bath-Diblaim,
wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:9). An earlier child, a daughter ...
/l/loammi.htm - 7k

Diblah (1 Occurrence)

/d/diblah.htm - 7k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... principal of these were: Ar (Numbers 21:15); Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Nebo
(Numbers 32:3); Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29); Beth-diblaim, Bozrah, Kerioth ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Conceiveth (27 Occurrences)
... baz, (YLT). Hosea 1:3 And he goeth and taketh Gomer daughter of Diblaim,
and she conceiveth and beareth to him a son; (YLT). Hosea 1 ...
/c/conceiveth.htm - 13k

Moab (162 Occurrences)
... principal of these were: Ar (Numbers 21:15); Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Nebo
(Numbers 32:3); Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29); Beth-diblaim, Bozrah, Kerioth ...
/m/moab.htm - 62k

Conceived (66 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Hosea 1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter
of Diblaim; and she conceived, and bore him a son. (WEB ...
/c/conceived.htm - 26k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Diblaim (1 Occurrence)

Hosea 1:3
So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; and she conceived, and bore him a son.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Diblaim

Diblaim: Father of Hosea's Wife

Related Terms

Diblaim (1 Occurrence)

Diblath (1 Occurrence)

Diblah
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