Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Zalmon" is believed to mean "shady" or "dark," possibly referring to a wooded or forested area. The etymology suggests a connection to natural features, which is consistent with the geographical references associated with the name in the biblical text.

Biblical References:
Zalmon is mentioned in two primary contexts within the Old Testament:

1. Zalmon the Warrior:
Zalmon is listed among the mighty warriors of King David, known as the "Thirty." In 2 Samuel 23:28, Zalmon the Ahohite is mentioned as one of these valiant men. The passage reads: "Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite." This reference highlights Zalmon's role as a distinguished member of David's elite military group, known for their bravery and loyalty to the king.

2. Mount Zalmon:
Mount Zalmon is referenced in Psalm 68:14, which states: "When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it was like snow falling on Zalmon." This verse poetically describes a divine victory, using the imagery of snow on Mount Zalmon to symbolize purity, victory, and perhaps the suddenness of God's intervention. The exact location of Mount Zalmon is not definitively known, but it is traditionally associated with a wooded area, possibly near Shechem, in the region of Ephraim.

Historical and Geographical Context:
The mention of Zalmon in the context of David's warriors places him in the historical period of the United Monarchy of Israel, around the 10th century BC. The warriors, including Zalmon, were instrumental in establishing and defending the kingdom under David's leadership.

Mount Zalmon's geographical context is less clear, but its mention in the Psalms suggests it was a recognizable landmark to the original audience. The imagery of snow on Zalmon may indicate a higher elevation or a region known for its cooler climate and forested terrain.

Theological Significance:
Zalmon's inclusion among David's mighty men underscores the importance of loyalty and valor in service to God's anointed king. These warriors were not only military figures but also part of the divine narrative of establishing Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

The reference to Mount Zalmon in Psalm 68 highlights God's sovereignty and power in delivering His people. The imagery of snow on the mountain serves as a metaphor for God's cleansing and victorious acts, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention in the affairs of nations.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:
The use of natural imagery, such as snow on a mountain, is a common literary device in Hebrew poetry, serving to evoke vivid images and convey deeper spiritual truths. The mention of Zalmon in both historical and poetic texts reflects the integration of geography, history, and theology in the biblical narrative.

In summary, Zalmon, both as a person and a place, is woven into the fabric of Israel's history and theology, representing themes of loyalty, divine intervention, and the natural beauty of the Promised Land.Zalmon

his shade; his image

Zalmon

(shady), an Ahohite one of David's guard. (2 Samuel 23:28)

Shady.

(1.) One of David's warriors, called the Ahohite (2 Samuel 23:28); called also Ilai (1 Chronicles 11:29).

(2.) A wood near Shechem, from which Abimelech and his party brought boughs and "put them to the hold" of Shechem, "and set the hold on fire" (Judges 9:48). Probably the southern peak of Gerizim, now called Jebel Sulman. (see SALMON.)

ZALMON

zal'-mon (tsalmon; Selmon, oros Ermon; the King James Version Salmon (Psalm 68:14)):

(1) From the slopes of Mt. Zalmon, Abimelech and his followers gathered the wood with which they burned down "the stronghold of the house of El-berith," which may have been the citadel of Shechem (Judges 9:46). The mountain therefore was not far from the city; but no name resembling this has yet been recovered in Mt. Ephraim. It is just possible that in the modern Arabic name of Mt. Ebal, es-Sulemiyeh, there may be an echo of Zalmon. It is precisely to this mountain, especially to the western slopes, that one would expect Abimelech and his people to go for the purpose in view. The name occurs again in Psalm 68:14, a passage of admitted difficulty. Snow in Palestine is mainly associated with Mt. Hermon, where it may be seen nearly all the year round; hence, doubtless the Greek reading "Mt. Hermon" in Judges. But snow is well known among the uplands in winter; and the Psalmist may simply have meant that the kings were scattered like snowflakes in the wind on Mt. Zalmon. We need not therefore look to Bashan or elsewhere for the mountain. The locality is fixed by the narrative in Judges.

(2) One of David's heroes (2 Samuel 23:28).

See ILAI.

W. Ewing

6756. Tsalmown -- a mountain near Shechem, also perhaps a ...
... unc. location. Transliteration: Tsalmown Phonetic Spelling: (tsal-mone')
Short Definition: Zalmon. Zalmon From tselem; shady; Tsalmon ...
/hebrew/6756.htm - 5k

6756a. Tsalmon -- a mountain near Shechem, also perhaps a ...
... location. Transliteration: Tsalmon Short Definition: Zalmon. ... location NASB Word Usage
Zalmon (2). 6756, 6756a. Tsalmon. 6756b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6756a.htm - 5k

6756b. Tsalmon -- one of David's heroes
... 6756a, 6756b. Tsalmon. 6757 . one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Tsalmon Short Definition: Zalmon. Word Origin from the same ...
/hebrew/6756b.htm - 5k

Letter L
... Lyon, Jonathan "Received 1807, Located 1816 * Lyon, Moses "Received 1836 * Lyon,
Richard "Received 1797, Located 1808 * Lyon, Zalmon "Received 1804. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter l.htm

The Crowning of Abimelech
... And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him;
and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

Letter S
... Richard A. "Received 1836 * Steward, Samuel S. "Received 1792, Located 1808 * Stewart,
Thomas G. "Received 1830 * Stewart, Zalmon "Received 1816 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter s.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... against the city and took it, but the chief citizens had taken refuge in "the hold
of the house of El-berith." "Abimelech gat him up to Mount Zalmon, he and ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Zalmon (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZALMON. ... Ephraim. It is just possible that in the
modern Arabic name of Mt. Ebal, es-Sulemiyeh, there may be an echo of Zalmon. ...
/z/zalmon.htm - 9k

Ahohite (5 Occurrences)
... of Solomon's captains (1 Chronicles 27:4); to his son Eleazar, one of David's three
mightiest heroes (2 Samuel 23:9; 1 Chronicles 11:12); and to Zalmon, one of ...
/a/ahohite.htm - 9k

Ilai (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An Ahohite, one of David's chief warriors (1 Chronicles
11:29); called also Zalmon (2 Samuel 23:28). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/i/ilai.htm - 7k

Salmon (7 Occurrences)
... Shady; or Zalmon (qv), a hill covered with dark forests, south of Shechem, from
which Abimelech and his men gathered wood to burn that city (Judges 9:48). ...
/s/salmon.htm - 11k

Zalmonah (2 Occurrences)

/z/zalmonah.htm - 7k

Zalaph (1 Occurrence)

/z/zalaph.htm - 7k

Netoph'ah (4 Occurrences)
... Neto'phah, Netoph'ah. Netophas . Multi-Version Concordance Netoph'ah (4
Occurrences). 2 Samuel 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite; (See ...
/n/netoph'ah.htm - 7k

Netophathite (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Netophathite (9 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 23:28 Zalmon the
Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/n/netophathite.htm - 9k

Gat (21 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that
were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough ...
/g/gat.htm - 12k

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