Bochim
בֹּכִים/BOH-kim/
“Weepers”
Summary
A place where the Israelites wept after an angel rebuked them for making treaties with Canaanite inhabitants.
☩The Place of Weeping
Bochim was a place west of Jordan, above Gilgal, where an angel of the Lord (or prophetic messenger) came from Gilgal to rebuke the assembled Israelites. The angel charged them with disobedience for making leagues with the inhabitants of the land and failing to destroy their altars. The people wept bitterly at this reproof, hence the name Bochim, meaning 'weepers.' They offered sacrifices there, and some identify this site with Bethel.
Key verses:Judges 2:1-5
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bochim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Bochim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Bochim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).