El-tekeh
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Topical Encyclopedia
El-tekeh is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the territorial allotments to the tribes of Israel. It is referenced in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Dan. The name "El-tekeh" is thought to mean "God is my fear" or "God is my support," reflecting the theocentric nature of place names in ancient Israel.

Biblical Reference:

El-tekeh is mentioned in Joshua 19:44 as one of the towns in the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan. The passage reads: "Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath" . This listing is part of a broader description of the Danite inheritance, which includes several towns and their surrounding villages.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The exact location of El-tekeh is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to have been situated in the lowland region of the Shephelah, an area characterized by rolling hills between the coastal plain and the central highlands of Israel. This region was strategically significant, serving as a buffer zone between the Philistine cities on the coast and the Israelite settlements inland.

The Shephelah was known for its fertile land and was often contested by various groups throughout biblical history. The presence of El-tekeh in this region suggests it may have played a role in the agricultural and military activities of the tribe of Dan.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

El-tekeh, like many other towns listed in the tribal allotments, underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a central theme in the Book of Joshua, symbolizing the establishment of Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

The mention of El-tekeh also highlights the challenges faced by the tribe of Dan in securing and maintaining their allotted territory. The Danites struggled with external pressures from neighboring peoples, particularly the Philistines, which eventually led to some members of the tribe seeking new settlements in the north (Judges 18).

Archaeological Insights:

While El-tekeh has not been conclusively identified through archaeological excavations, the study of similar sites in the Shephelah provides valuable insights into the lifestyle and culture of the inhabitants during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. Artifacts such as pottery, tools, and inscriptions from nearby sites help reconstruct the daily life and religious practices of the time.

Conclusion:

El-tekeh serves as a testament to the historical and spiritual journey of the Israelites as they settled in the Promised Land. Its mention in the biblical narrative reflects the broader themes of divine promise, tribal identity, and the ongoing struggle to live in accordance with God's covenant.
Strong's Hebrew
514. Elteqe -- a city in Palestine
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a city in Pal. NASB Word
Usage Elteke (1), Eltekeh (1). Eltekeh. Or (more properly ...
/hebrew/514.htm - 6k
Library

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Altaku is certainly Eltekeh of Dan (Joshua 19:44), as was seen from the outset;
the site, however, of Eltekeh cannot be fixed with any certainty. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Sennacherib met him at Eltekeh, and there the combined forces of the Egyptians
and Arabians were defeated and compelled to retreat. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Thesaurus
Eltekeh (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELTEKE; ELTEKEH. ... Beit Likia, the place marked
Eltekeh on the PEF map, seems a position for such an encounter. ...
/e/eltekeh.htm - 8k

El-tekeh (1 Occurrence)
El-tekeh. El'tekeh, El-tekeh. Eltekon . Multi-Version Concordance El-tekeh
(1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:44 and El-tekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath, (DBY). ...
/e/el-tekeh.htm - 6k

El'tekeh (1 Occurrence)
El'tekeh. Eltekeh, El'tekeh. El-tekeh . Multi-Version Concordance ... Joshua
19:44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, (See RSV). Eltekeh, El'tekeh. El-tekeh . ...
/e/el'tekeh.htm - 6k

Gibbethon (5 Occurrences)
... gib'-e-thon (gibbethon): A city in the territory of Dan in the plain named with
Eltekeh and Baalath (Joshua 19:44), and assigned to the Kohathite Levites ...
/g/gibbethon.htm - 9k

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... Mucuru (Egypt) and the bowmen, chariots, and cavalry of Meruhha" (Meroe or Ethiopia),
who had come to Hezekiah's help, took place in the neighborhood of Eltekeh...
/t/tirhakah.htm - 11k

Elteke (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELTEKE; ELTEKEH. ... Beit Likia, the place marked
Eltekeh on the PEF map, seems a position for such an encounter. ...
/e/elteke.htm - 7k

Baalath (5 Occurrences)
... all over Syria-which appears to be a real survival of "Baal worship." (1) A town
on the border of Dan (Joshua 19:44) associated with Eltekeh and Gibbethon ...
/b/baalath.htm - 9k

Gib'bethon (5 Occurrences)
... Gibbethon, Gib'bethon. Gibea . Multi-Version Concordance Gib'bethon (5 Occurrences).
Joshua 19:44 and Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath; (See RSV). ...
/g/gib'bethon.htm - 7k

Eltekon (1 Occurrence)

/e/eltekon.htm - 7k

Resources
What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the word Elohim? | GotQuestions.org

What are the attributes of God? | GotQuestions.org

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