Jarmuth is a city mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites. It is located in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Judah. Jarmuth is first introduced in the Book of Joshua as one of the cities whose king, Piram, joined a coalition against the Israelites led by Joshua. This coalition, which included the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Lachish, and Eglon, was decisively defeated by Joshua at the Battle of Gibeon. The biblical account in Joshua 10:3-5 states: "So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 'Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.'"

Jarmuth is later listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:35). Archaeological evidence suggests that Jarmuth was a significant Canaanite city-state during the Late Bronze Age, and its ruins are identified with the modern site of Khirbet Yarmuk. The city's strategic location in the fertile lowlands made it an important center for agriculture and trade.

Lachish

Lachish is one of the most prominent cities mentioned in the Old Testament, known for its strategic and military significance. It is located in the Shephelah region, southwest of Jerusalem. Lachish is first mentioned in the context of the southern coalition against Joshua, as recorded in Joshua 10:3 : "So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon."

Lachish was later conquered by Joshua and the Israelites, as described in Joshua 10:31-32 : "Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish. They laid siege to it and fought against it. And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day."

The city is also notable for its role during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Lachish was one of the last cities to fall to the Assyrian king Sennacherib during his campaign against Judah in 701 BC. The siege of Lachish is famously depicted in the Lachish Reliefs, a series of Assyrian palace carvings that provide a detailed account of the conquest. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 18:13-14 recounts this event: "In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish."

Archaeological excavations at Tel Lachish have uncovered significant remains, including a large city gate, fortifications, and evidence of the Assyrian siege, confirming the city's historical and biblical importance.

Eglon

Eglon is another city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the Shephelah region of Judah. Like Jarmuth and Lachish, Eglon was part of the coalition of Amorite kings who opposed Joshua and the Israelites. The king of Eglon, Debir, joined forces with the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, and Lachish to attack Gibeon, as recorded in Joshua 10:3-5 .

Following the defeat of this coalition at Gibeon, Joshua led the Israelites in a campaign against the individual cities, including Eglon. Joshua 10:34-35 describes the conquest: "Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Lachish to Eglon. They laid siege to it and fought against it. And that day they captured Eglon and put it to the sword, devoting to destruction everyone in the city, just as they had done to Lachish."

Eglon is later mentioned in the list of cities allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:39). The exact location of ancient Eglon is debated, but it is often identified with the archaeological site of Tel Eton. The city's inclusion in the biblical narrative highlights its role in the broader context of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan.