Etymology and Meaning: The name "Eshtemoa" is believed to derive from a root meaning "obedience" or "hearing." It is a name that appears in the Old Testament, associated with both a location and a person.

Biblical References:

1. Eshtemoa the Town: Eshtemoa is mentioned as a town in the hill country of Judah. It is listed among the cities given to the tribe of Judah in the division of the Promised Land. In Joshua 15:50, Eshtemoa is included in the allotment of towns to the tribe of Judah: "Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim." The town is also noted for being one of the cities given to the Levites, specifically to the descendants of Aaron, as recorded in Joshua 21:14: "And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa."

2. Eshtemoa the Person: Eshtemoa is also the name of a descendant of Caleb, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:17: "The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa." This reference highlights the genealogical significance of Eshtemoa within the tribe of Judah.

Historical and Archaeological Context: Eshtemoa, identified with the modern site of es-Samu, is located approximately 8 miles south of Hebron. Archaeological findings in the area have uncovered remains from various periods, including the Iron Age, which corresponds to the biblical era. These findings provide evidence of a settled community that aligns with the biblical narrative of a Levitical city.

Cultural and Religious Significance: As a Levitical city, Eshtemoa held religious significance in ancient Israel. The Levites, who were set apart for religious duties, were distributed among the tribes of Israel to teach the Law and maintain the worship of Yahweh. The allocation of Eshtemoa to the Levites underscores its role in the spiritual life of the nation.

Role in David's Life: Eshtemoa is also mentioned in the context of King David's life. In 1 Samuel 30:26-28, after David's victory over the Amalekites, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, including those in Eshtemoa: "When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, 'Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.' He sent gifts to those in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, and Jattir; to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa."

Theological Implications: The inclusion of Eshtemoa in the biblical narrative highlights the importance of obedience and hearing God's word, as suggested by its name. The town's association with the Levites and its mention in the context of David's generosity reflect themes of covenant faithfulness and the distribution of God's blessings among His people.

Conclusion: The biblical references to Eshtemoa, both as a town and a person, provide insight into the historical and spiritual landscape of ancient Israel. Its role as a Levitical city and its connection to key biblical figures underscore its significance in the narrative of God's covenant people.Eshtemoa

the bosom of a woman

Eshtemoa

and in shorter form Eshtemoh (obedience), a town of Judah in the mountains, (Joshua 15:50) allotted to the priest. (Joshua 21:14; 1 Chronicles 6:57) It was one of the places frequented by David and his followers during the long period of their wanderings. (1 Samuel 30:28) comp. 1Sam 30:31 Its site is at Semua , a village seven miles south of Hebron.

Eshtemoa

A city of the priests in Judah, Joshua 15:50; 21:14; 1 Samuel 30:28; traced by Robinson in the modern village Semua, south of Hebron.

Obedience, a town in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 21:14; 1 Chronicles 6:57), which was allotted, with the land round it, to the priests. It was frequented by David and his followers during their wanderings; and he sent presents of the spoil of the Amalekites to his friends there (1 Samuel 30:28). It is identified with es-Semu'a, a village about 3 1/2 miles east of Socoh, and 7 or 8 miles south of Hebron, around which there are ancient remains of the ruined city. It is the centre of the "south country" or Negeb. It is also called "Eshtemoh" (Joshua 15:50). ESHTEMOA

esh-te-mo'-a, esh'-te-mo-a ('eshtemoa`):

A Levitical city in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 21:14 1 Chronicles 6:57); Eshtemoh ('eshtemoh, Joshua 15:50). In 1ch 4:17, 19, Eshtemoa is said to be a Maacathite and "son" of Ishbah. David after routing the Amalekites sent a present to his friends in (among other places) Eshtemoa (1 Samuel 30:28).

It is now es-Semu`a, a considerable village of evident antiquity some 8 miles South of Hebron.

851. Eshtemoa -- a man of Judah, also a city in Judah
Eshtemoa or Eshtemoa or Eshtemoh. 850, 851. Eshtemoa or Eshtemoa or Eshtemoh.
852 . a man of Judah, also a city in Judah. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/851.htm - 6k

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ESHTEMOA. esh-te ... In 1ch 4:17, 19, Eshtemoa
is said to be a Maacathite and "son" of Ishbah. David after ...
/e/eshtemoa.htm - 9k

Eshtemo'a (5 Occurrences)
Eshtemo'a. Eshtemoa, Eshtemo'a. Eshtemoh . ... Joshua 21:14 and Jattir with the
open land about it, and Eshtemoa with the open land about it; (See RSV). ...
/e/eshtemo'a.htm - 7k

Jattir (4 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its suburbs,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel ...
/j/jattir.htm - 8k

Ishbah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ISHBAH. ish'-ba (yishbach): A member of the tribe
of Judah, father of Eshtemoa (1 Chronicles 4:17). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/ishbah.htm - 7k

Mered (2 Occurrences)
... and the only solid fact that emerges is that once a comparatively obscure Judahite
(though the founder of several towns-Gedor, Soco, Eshtemoa, etc., 4:18 ...
/m/mered.htm - 9k

Siphmoth (1 Occurrence)
... 28). It occurs between Aroer and Eshtemoa, so it must have been somewhere
in Southern Judah. The site has not been recovered. Zabdi ...
/s/siphmoth.htm - 7k

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its
suburbs, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:15 Holon with ...
/s/suburbs.htm - 29k

Pasture (120 Occurrences)
... Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its suburbs, (See NAS RSV).
Joshua 21:15 Holon with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, (See NAS RSV). ...
/p/pasture.htm - 33k

Lands (226 Occurrences)
... lands; (BBE NAS RSV). Joshua 21:14 And Jattir with its grass-lands, and Eshtemoa
with its grass-lands; (BBE NAS RSV). Joshua 21:15 And ...
/l/lands.htm - 35k

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 4:19 And the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham,
were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. ...
/k/kei'lah.htm - 10k

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