Bohan
“Thumb”
Summary
A Reubenite in whose honor a large stone was erected that served as a boundary marker between the territories of Judah and Benjamin.
☩Identity and Memorial
Bohan was a son of Reuben, though he is not mentioned in the genealogies of that tribe. A stone was erected in his honor, possibly to commemorate some great exploit performed during the conquest of Canaan. This 'Stone of Bohan' served as an important boundary marker on the frontier between Judah and Benjamin.
☩Location
The stone was situated in the valley of Achor, between Beth-Arabah and Debir, along the eastern side of what is now known as Wady Dabr running into the Dead Sea. The site is identified with Hadjar el Asbah, meaning 'the stone of the finger,' where a rock on an isolated peak resembles a fist with the thumb raised.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bohan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Bohan," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Bohan," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).