Arumah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is associated with the narrative of Abimelech, one of the sons of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. The mention of Arumah is brief, yet it plays a role in the unfolding events of Abimelech's tumultuous rule.

Biblical Reference:
Arumah is referenced in Judges 9:41. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem." This verse situates Arumah as a place where Abimelech resided during a period of conflict with the inhabitants of Shechem.

Historical and Geographical Context:
The exact location of Arumah is not definitively known, and it is not frequently mentioned in biblical or extrabiblical sources. However, it is generally considered to be in the region of Shechem, which is in the central part of ancient Israel, in the territory that was allotted to the tribe of Ephraim. Some scholars suggest that Arumah might be identified with the site of Khirbet el-‘Ormeh, located near modern-day Nablus, though this identification remains speculative.

Role in the Narrative:
In the narrative of Judges 9, Abimelech, who had declared himself king after the death of his father Gideon, faced opposition from the people of Shechem. Gaal, son of Ebed, led a rebellion against Abimelech, which resulted in a series of confrontations. Arumah served as a strategic location for Abimelech during this conflict. The verse indicates that while Abimelech was in Arumah, Zebul, the ruler of the city, expelled Gaal and his followers from Shechem, thereby supporting Abimelech's claim to power.

Theological Significance:
The account of Abimelech and the events surrounding Arumah highlight themes of leadership, ambition, and divine justice. Abimelech's rise to power and subsequent downfall serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-serving ambition and the consequences of turning away from God's guidance. The brief mention of Arumah in this context underscores the transient nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God in the affairs of men.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
While Arumah itself has not been extensively excavated or studied, the broader region of Shechem has yielded significant archaeological findings that provide insights into the cultural and historical backdrop of the biblical narrative. Shechem was an important city in ancient Israel, known for its religious and political significance. The archaeological evidence from Shechem, including fortifications, temples, and inscriptions, helps to illuminate the historical context in which the events of Judges 9 took place.

In summary, Arumah, though briefly mentioned, is a part of the complex narrative of Abimelech's rule and the broader account of Israel during the time of the Judges. Its mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay of human ambition and divine providence.Arumah

high; exalted

Arumah

(height), a place apparently in the neighborhood of Shechem, at which Abimelech resided. (Judges 9:41)

ARUMAH

a-roo'-ma (arumah, "lofty"): The town in which Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon), dwelt when driven from Shechem (Judges 9:41). The ruins El-Ormeh, 6 miles Southeast of Shechem, may be on the site, though its position is not known with certainty.

725. Arumah -- a place near Shechem
... 724, 725. Arumah. 726 . a place near Shechem. Transliteration: Arumah
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-oo-maw') Short Definition: Arumah. ...
/hebrew/725.htm - 6k

Caphar Hananiah. The Middle of Galilee.
... "The men of the family of Mamal, and the men of the family of Gorion, in the years
of dearth, distributed to the poor figs and raisins in Arumah. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 61 caphar hananiah the.htm

The Crowning of Abimelech
... the gate. And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul drave out Gaal and his
brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of Manasseh had no difficulty in defeating his adversary, but arresting the pursuit
at the gates of the city, he withdrew to the neighbouring village of Arumah ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Arumah (2 Occurrences)
...ARUMAH. a-roo'-ma (arumah, "lofty"): The town in which Abimelech, the son of
Jerubbaal (Gideon), dwelt when driven from Shechem (Judges 9:41). ...
/a/arumah.htm - 7k

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... for "and he said" many read with the Septuagint "then would I say." The position
of Zebul is here that of a deputy to Abimelech, who lived in Arumah (Judges 9 ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Rumah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Elevation, probably the same as Arumah (Judges
9:41; 2 Kings 23:36), near Shechem. Others identify it ...
/r/rumah.htm - 8k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV). Judges 9:41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and
Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem. ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Aru'mah (2 Occurrences)
Aru'mah. Arumah, Aru'mah. Arvad . Multi-Version Concordance Aru'mah (2 Occurrences). ...
(DBY RSV). Arumah, Aru'mah. Arvad . Reference Bible.
/a/aru'mah.htm - 6k

Aruboth (1 Occurrence)

/a/aruboth.htm - 7k

Casteth (54 Occurrences)
... YLT). Judges 9:41 And Abimelech abideth in Arumah, and Zebul casteth out Gaal
and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem. (YLT). Judges ...
/c/casteth.htm - 22k

Abideth (66 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Judges 9:41 And Abimelech abideth in Arumah, and Zebul casteth
out Gaal and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem. (YLT). ...
/a/abideth.htm - 24k

Thrust (92 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Judges 9:41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and
his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. (KJV WBS). ...
/t/thrust.htm - 35k

Relatives (132 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Judges 9:41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and
his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem. (See NAS). ...
/r/relatives.htm - 33k

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