Topical Encyclopedia Etymology and Meaning: The name "Abelcheramim" is derived from Hebrew, where "Abel" means "meadow" or "stream," and "Cheramim" is often understood to mean "vineyards." Thus, Abelcheramim can be translated as "Meadow of the Vineyards." Biblical References: Abelcheramim is mentioned in the context of the military campaigns of Jephthah, a judge of Israel. The specific reference to Abelcheramim is found in the Book of Judges: · Judges 11:33 : "He struck them from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith—twenty cities in all—and as far as Abelcheramim. So the Ammonites were subdued before the Israelites." In this passage, Abelcheramim is noted as the endpoint of Jephthah's victorious campaign against the Ammonites. The text highlights the extent of Jephthah's conquest, indicating that Abelcheramim was a significant location marking the boundary of the territory affected by the conflict. Geographical Context: The exact location of Abelcheramim is not definitively known, but it is generally believed to have been situated east of the Jordan River, in the region that was historically occupied by the Ammonites. The mention of Abelcheramim alongside other locations such as Aroer and Minnith suggests it was part of a broader geographical area involved in the military engagements of the time. Historical and Cultural Significance: Abelcheramim's mention in the context of Jephthah's campaign underscores its importance as a landmark in the narrative of Israel's judges. The reference to vineyards in its name may indicate that the area was known for its agricultural productivity, particularly in viticulture, which was a significant aspect of the economy and culture in ancient Near Eastern societies. Related Topics: · Jephthah: A judge of Israel who led the Israelites in battle against the Ammonites. His account is primarily recorded in Judges 11-12. · Ammonites: A people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of Israel. They occupied the region east of the Jordan River. · Judges: The period in Israel's history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy, characterized by a series of leaders known as judges. Archaeological Insights: While no specific archaeological evidence has been conclusively linked to Abelcheramim, the general region east of the Jordan River has yielded findings that provide insights into the cultures and settlements of the time. These findings help contextualize the biblical narratives and the historical interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Judges 11:33, R.V.; A. V., "plain of the vineyards"), a village of the Ammonites, whither Jephthah pursued their forces. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABEL-CHERAMIMa'-bel-ker'-a-mim ('abhel keramim, "meadow of vineyards"): A city mentioned in the Revised Version (British and American) in Judges 11:33, along with Aroer, Minnith, and "twenty cities," in summarizing Jephthah's campaign against the Ammonites. The King James Version translates "the plain of the vineyards." The site has not been identified, though Eusebius and Jerome speak of it as in their time a village about seven Roman miles from the Ammonite city of Rabbah. Thesaurus Abelcheramim (1 Occurrence)... of Rabbah. Multi-Version Concordance Abelcheramim (1 Occurrence). Judges 11:33 He struck them from Aroer until you come to Minnith ... /a/abelcheramim.htm - 7k Minnith (2 Occurrences) Abel-beth-maachah (2 Occurrences) Vicinity (18 Occurrences) Abel-cheramim (1 Occurrence) Subdued (41 Occurrences) Aroer (17 Occurrences) Slaughter (121 Occurrences) Abel (22 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Abelcheramim (1 Occurrence)Judges 11:33 Subtopics Related Terms |