Kamon (Bible)

Kamon or Camon (in Hebrew: קָמוֹן, in Ancient Greek: Καμων, transliterated as Kamôn) is a place mentioned in the Bible. Located in Gilead, it is said that Jair was buried there.

It is not yet clear whether it is a real place or primarily a symbolic one.

History

Biblical account

According to the Book of Judges, Kamon is located in Gilead and is the place where Judge Jair is buried.^[1][2]

Sources

Kamon is mentioned only once in the Bible. While only one Hebrew name is given in the Masoretic text,^[1] both Καμων (Kamôn) and Ραμμω (Rhammô) are found in the Septuagint manuscripts.^[2][3]

In the 19th century, Easton believed it was probably located on the slopes of Mount Carmel.^[4] One possible etymology of the term could come from קָמָה (Qamāh), which means "to rise", possibly indicating that it was a fortified place situated on high ground.^[3] A place named Καμους (Kamous) was mentioned by Polybius and was conquered by Antiochus III.^[5] It might be the same location.^[6]

However, according to more recent research, the term might have a primarily symbolic meaning, deriving from the Greek Kαμίνος (Kaminos), which means "furnace".^[7][8] This interpretation is reinforced by Pseudo-Philo, who interprets a passage related to Jair by stating: "And in the fire in which you will die, there you will have a dwelling place."^[7][9]