Lodebar

Lodebar is a place mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. It is identified as the home of Machir, the father of a notable figure named Gilead. The biblical narrative places Lodebar in a region east of the Jordan River, likely in the territory that would later be associated with the tribe of Gad or Manasseh.

The most significant mention of Lodebar occurs in the Book of Samuel. It is where Mephibosheth, a grandson of King Saul, was living when he was found by David's men. Mephibosheth was lame in both feet and lived in obscurity at Lodebar. David, remembering his covenant with Saul and his friendship with Jonathan, Mephibosheth's father, summoned him to Jerusalem and restored to him the lands of his grandfather Saul, allowing him to eat at the king's table. This act of kindness by David is a prominent event in the story of his reign.

The exact location of Lodebar is not definitively known today, but archaeological and geographical studies suggest it was situated in the Gilead region, a fertile area known for its pastureland. The name "Lodebar" itself is thought to derive from Hebrew words possibly meaning "without pasture" or "without a shepherd," which could allude to the land's characteristics or perhaps Mephibosheth's impoverished state. Despite its brief mention, Lodebar serves as a crucial setting for a story of loyalty, remembrance, and restoration within the biblical narrative.