Biblical References:
Ashnah is mentioned in the Old Testament within the context of the territorial allotments of the tribes of Israel. It appears in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 15:33 and Joshua 15:43.

Location and Description:
Ashnah is identified as a town within the tribal inheritance of Judah. The biblical text places Ashnah in the lowland region, also known as the Shephelah, which is a series of foothills between the coastal plain and the central highlands of Judah. This area was known for its fertile land and strategic location, serving as a buffer zone between the Philistine territories to the west and the hill country of Judah to the east.

1. Joshua 15:33 : "In the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,"
2. Joshua 15:43 : "Jiphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,"

In these passages, Ashnah is listed among other towns, indicating its role as part of the network of settlements that contributed to the agricultural and defensive strength of the tribe of Judah.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of Ashnah has not been definitively identified, it is generally believed to be situated in the region southwest of Jerusalem, consistent with the description of the Shephelah. Archaeological surveys in the area have uncovered remains of ancient settlements that may correspond to biblical towns like Ashnah, though conclusive evidence linking these sites to Ashnah specifically remains elusive.

Theological Significance:
The mention of Ashnah, like many other towns in the tribal allotments, underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan. Each town and city listed in these allotments represents a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel. The detailed recording of these towns in Scripture highlights the importance of land inheritance in the identity and history of the Israelite tribes.

Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, towns like Ashnah were integral to the social and economic fabric of the region. They served as centers for agriculture, trade, and community life. The Shephelah, where Ashnah was located, was particularly significant due to its role as a crossroads for various cultures and peoples, including the Israelites, Philistines, and Canaanites. This cultural interaction often led to both conflict and cooperation, influencing the historical narrative of the region.

Conclusion:
While Ashnah is a relatively minor location in the biblical narrative, its inclusion in the territorial descriptions of Judah reflects the broader themes of divine promise and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. The town's mention serves as a reminder of the historical and theological dimensions of the biblical text, illustrating the intricate relationship between geography, history, and faith in the biblical worldview.Ashnah

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Ashnah

the name of two cities, both in the lowlands of Judah: (1) named between Zoreah and Zanoah, and therefore probably northwest of Jerusalem, (Joshua 15:33) and (2) between Jiptah and Nezib, and therefore to the southwest of Jerusalem. (Joshua 15:43) Each, according, to Robinson's map (1857), would be about 16 miles from Jerusalem.

ASHNAH

ash'-na ('ashnah): Two sites,

(1) Joshua 15:33, a site in the lowlands of Judah, probably near Estaol and Zorah. The small ruin Aslin between those two places may retain an echo of the old name;

(2) Joshua 15:43 an unknown site farther south.

823. Ashnah -- two cities in Judah
... 822, 823. Ashnah. 824 . two cities in Judah. Transliteration: Ashnah
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-naw') Short Definition: Ashnah. Word ...
/hebrew/823.htm - 6kAshnah (2 Occurrences)
...ASHNAH. ash'-na ('ashnah): Two sites, (1) Joshua 15:33, a site in the lowlands
of Judah, probably near Estaol and Zorah. ...Ashnah (2 Occurrences). ...
/a/ashnah.htm - 7k

Ashore (11 Occurrences)

/a/ashore.htm - 9k

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)
... za-no'-a (zanoach; Codex Vaticanus Tano; Codex Alexandrinus Zano): (1) A town in
the Judean Shephelah, grouped with Eshtaol, Zorah and Ashnah (Joshua 15:34). ...
/z/zanoah.htm - 9k

Zoreah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Zoreah (2 Occurrences). Joshua 15:33 And in the
valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/z/zoreah.htm - 7k

Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... EWG Masterman. Multi-Version Concordance Zorah (10 Occurrences). Joshua 15:33 In
the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/zorah.htm - 11k

Nezib (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nezib (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:43 Iphtah, Ashnah,
Nezib, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nezib.htm - 7k

Jiphthah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jiphthah (1 Occurrence). Joshua
15:43 and Jiphthah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, (DBY). ...
/j/jiphthah.htm - 6k

Jiphtah (1 Occurrence)
... JIPHTAH. jif'-ta (yiphtach). See IPHTAH. Multi-Version Concordance Jiphtah (1
Occurrence). Joshua 15:43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/j/jiphtah.htm - 6k

Lowland (34 Occurrences)
... ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV). Joshua 15:33 In the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV). Judges 1:9 Afterward the ...
/l/lowland.htm - 19k

Iphtah (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Iphtah (3 Occurrences). Joshua 15:43 Iphtah, Ashnah,
Nezib, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua ...
/i/iphtah.htm - 7k

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