LIBNAH lĭb’ nə (לִבְנָֽה, whiteness). 1. The location of one of the Israelite encampments in the wilderness. It is listed in the roster of sites recorded by Moses and is otherwise unknown (Num 33:20, 21). It is thought by some to be identical with Laban (Deut 1:1).

2. A Canaanite city located in the Shephelah which was conquered by the Israelites under Joshua (Josh 10:29). It was N of Lachish and has been identified variously with Tell es-Safi and Tell Bornat. The conquest of Libnah was an important factor in solidifying the territorial holdings of the Israelites in the campaign in S Pal. Libnah is cited in the list of conquered Canaanite cities (12:15) and was one of the cities included in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah (15:42). It later became a Levitical city, i.e. a city assigned exclusively to the priests and Levites for their places of residency in Pal. (21:13; 1 Chron 6:57).

Libnah successfully revolted against Judah in the reign of Jehoram indicating the weakening hold of Judah on her outlying cities (2 Kings 8:22; 2 Chron 21:10). Judah apparently regained control of Libnah, however, for it appears as one of the fortified cities attacked by Sennacherib in his campaign against Judah during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:8; Isa 37:8). It was during this siege that the Assyrian forces were decimated by a plague (2 Kings 19:35, 36). Libnah was the home of Hamutal, the mother of Zedekiah (2 Kings 23:31; 24:18; Jer 52:1).

The most probable of the sites suggested for ancient Libnah seems to be the modern Tell es-Safi. Joshua 15:42 places Libnah in the Shephelah and Eusebius identified the site of ancient Libnah with a town in the district of Eleutheropolis. If Libnah was a border city, as its divided loyalty would seem to indicate, then Tell es-Safi seems to be the best choice. The white limestone cliffs which dominate the site led the Crusaders to give to it the name Blanchegarde. They may also explain the origin of the name Libnah which means “whiteness.”

Archeological excavations at Tell es-Safi have yielded evidence of the Assyrian presence there. A limestone tablet depicting the launching of a ship and the accompanying ceremony of sacrifice was found at the site. It is evidently Assyrian and there is little doubt that it is to be dated in the reign of Sennacherib.

Bibliography W. F. Albright, “Historical Geography of Palestine,” AASOR II-III (1921-1922), 12-17; F. M. Cross and G. E. Wright, “The Boundary and Province Lists of Judah,” JBL, LXXV (1956), 217, 218.