ha'-v'-n ((1) choph (Ge 49:13, the Revised Version margin "beach"; Jg 5:17, the Revised Version margin "shore," the King James Version "seashore," the King James Version margin "port"); elsewhere "sea-shore" (De 1:7; Jos 9:1; Jer 47:7) or "sea coast" (Eze 25:16); from root chaphaph, "to wash" or "to lave"; compare Arabic chaffa, "to rub"; and chaffat, "border"; Chufuf, in Eastern Arabia; (2) machoz (Ps 107:30); (3) limen (Ac 27:12 bis); also Fair Havens, kaloi limenes (Ac 27:8)): While the Greek limen is "harbor," the Hebrew Choph is primarily "shore." There is no harbor worthy of the name on the shore of Palestine South of Chaifa. Indeed there is no good natural harbor on the whole coast of Syria and Palestine. The promontories of Carmel, Beirut and Tripolis afford shelter from the prevalent southwest wind, but offer no refuge from the fury of a northern gale. On rocky shores there are inlets which will protect sail boats at most times, but the ships of the ancients were beached in rough weather, and small craft are so treated at the present time. See illustration under BITHYNIA, p. 483.
⇒Topical Bible outline for "Heaven."
Alfred Ely Day