Lo-Debar
Holman Bible Dictionary [1]
1 Samuel 31:1-13 2 Samuel 4:4 2 Samuel 9:4 2 Samuel 9:1-5 2 Samuel 17:27
The Hebrew text of Joshua 13:26 mentions the name of the city Lidebir near Mahanaim. This is usually translated “to Debir,” but many see this as an alternate spelling of Lo-Debar. See Debir .
Lo-Debar is cryptically referred to in Amos 6:13 . Prior to the delivery of this oracle, Lo-Debar and Karnaim had been recaptured by Jereboam II from the Arameans in a campaign blessed by God ( 2 Kings 14:25-28 ). Israel had taken the victory as an indication of its own strength and greatness, forgetting that God had brought them the victory. Amos took the consonants of the name Lo-Debar and added new vowels to make the name read “a thing of nought.” Amos was reminding Israel that its true strength and greatness lie not in their military achievements but in God who had blessed their efforts; Amos was calling the Israelites back to faith in this God.
Phil Logan
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [2]
LO-DEBAR. A place in Gilead, near to, and apparently east from, Mahanaim. It was the retreat of Mephibosheth till he was summoned to court by David ( 2 Samuel 9:4-5 ). It is mentioned also upon the occasion of David’s flight to the east of the Jordan ( 2 Samuel 17:27 ). The site has not been recovered. It is perhaps the same as Lidebir of Joshua 13:26 .
Easton's Bible Dictionary [3]
2 Samuel 17:27 Joshua 13:26
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
(Heb. Lo-Debar, לאֹ דְבָר , No Pasture, 2 Samuel 17:27, Sept. Λωδαβάρ ; written לוֹ דְבָר in 2 Samuel 9:4-5, Septuag. Λωδαβάρ ), a town apparently in Gilead, not far from Mahanaim, the residence of Ammiel, whose son Machir entertained Mephibosheth. and aftervards sent refreshments to David ( 2 Samuel 9:4-5; 2 Samuel 17:27). It is probably the same with the place (see Reland, Palest. page 875) called DEBIR (or rather Lidbir', לַדְכַר , Joshua 13:26; Sept. Λεβίρ , Vulg. Dabir; for thelis not a prefix, but a part of the name [see Keil's Comment. ad loc.], which should probably be pointed לֹדְבָר Lod-ebar'), on the (north-eastern) border of Gad, but in which direction from Mahanaim is uncertain, perhaps north- west (in which general direction the associated names appear to proceed), and not far from Et-Taryibell.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
lō´dḗ - bar , lṓ - dē´bar ( דבר לו , lō dhebhār ): A place in Gilead where dwelt Machir, son of Ammiel, who sheltered Mephibosheth, son of Saul, after that monarch's death ( 2 Samuel 9:4 ), until he was sent for by David. This same Machir met David with supplies when he fled to Gilead from Absalom ( 2 Samuel 17:27 f). Possibly it is the same place as Lidebir in Joshua 13:26 (Revised Version margin). No certain identification is possible; but Schumacher ( Northern ‛Ajlūn , 101) found a site with the name Ibdar about 6 1/2 miles East of Umm Ḳeis , North of the great aqueduct, which may possibly represent the ancient city. Lidebir, at least, seems to be placed on the northern boundary of Gilead. The modern village stands on the southern shoulder of Wādy Samar . There is a good spring to the East, a little lower down, while ancient remains are found in the neighborhood.
