Bo'ame

Bo'ame is a Hebrew word with a somewhat uncertain etymology and meaning, generally interpreted to signify "signs" or "signals." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the Book of Judges 20:33, describing a location or landmark in the context of the battle between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin. The verse states: "Then all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadow of Gibeah."

The exact nature of Bo'ame's significance in this verse is debated among biblical scholars. Some interpretations view it as a geographical marker used to coordinate the Israelite forces. The "signs" or "signals" could refer to a pre-arranged visual cue or location known to the soldiers. Others suggest that "Bo'ame" is a proper noun, the name of a specific place near Gibeah.

The lack of further references to Bo'ame in the Bible or other historical texts makes definitive interpretation difficult. Its meaning remains tied specifically to its contextual use in Judges 20:33, suggesting a strategic location or a point of reference employed during that particular battle.