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H2991 · Hebrew · Old Testament
יִבְלְעָם
yible'am
Noun, proper
Ibleam, a Canaanite city

Definition

A Canaanite city in the territory of Manasseh that the Israelites failed to fully conquer. Located near the strategic Jezreel Valley, Ibleam became a symbol of Israel's incomplete obedience — they assigned the city but couldn't (or wouldn't) drive out its inhabitants.

Usage & Theological Significance

Yible'am is a case study in partial obedience. The Israelites were given Ibleam but failed to possess it fully (Judges 1:27). This pattern — receiving God's promise but failing to act on it completely — echoes through Scripture and into the Christian life. Incomplete obedience eventually becomes complete compromise. The Canaanites who remained became the snares God warned about.

Key Bible Verses

Joshua 17:11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had... Ibleam [Yible'am] and its settlements.
Judges 1:27 But Manasseh did not drive out the people of... Ibleam [Yible'am].
2 Kings 9:27 Ahaziah fled... but they wounded him at the ascent of Gur near Ibleam [Yible'am].
Joshua 17:12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns.
Judges 1:28 When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely.

Related Words

External Resources

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