Bible Encyclopedias
Ham (2)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

( הם , hām ):

(1) A place east of the Jordan named between Ashteroth-karnaim and Shaveh-kiriathaim, in which Chedorlaomer smote the Zu-zim (Genesis 14:5 ). No name resembling this has been recovered. Septuagint reads bāhem "with them," instead of behām , "in Ham." Some have thought that "Ham" may be a corruption from "Ammon"; or that it may be the ancient name of Rabbath-ammon itself.

(2) A poetical appellation of Egypt: "the land of Ham" (Psalm 105:23 , etc.) is the land of Jacob's sojourning, i.e. Egypt; "the tents of Ham" (Psalm 78:51 ) are the dwellings of the Egyptians. It may be derived from the native name of Egypt, Kēmi , or Khēmi . See MIZRAIM; SHEM .