Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Joktheel" is derived from Hebrew, meaning "subdued by God" or "God's subduing." This name reflects the divine intervention and victory associated with the locations bearing this name in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:

1. Joktheel in Judah:
Joktheel is mentioned as a city in the territory of Judah. In Joshua 15:38, it is listed among the cities in the Shephelah, or the lowland region of Judah. The passage states: "Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel." This indicates its inclusion in the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, highlighting its geographical and tribal significance.

2. Joktheel in Edom:
Another reference to Joktheel is found in 2 Kings 14:7, where it is associated with a significant military victory. The text recounts: "Amaziah struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and took Sela in battle. He renamed it Joktheel, as it is called to this day." This event underscores the military prowess and divine favor experienced by King Amaziah of Judah. The renaming of Sela to Joktheel symbolizes the subjugation of Edom under Judah's control, marking a moment of triumph and divine intervention.

Historical and Theological Significance:

· Joktheel in Judah:
The city of Joktheel in Judah, while not extensively detailed in biblical narratives, is part of the broader context of the tribal allotments in the Promised Land. Its mention alongside other cities in the Shephelah suggests its role in the agricultural and defensive network of Judah. The Shephelah was a region of strategic importance, serving as a buffer zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands.

· Joktheel in Edom:
The renaming of Sela to Joktheel by Amaziah is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding victory over their enemies. This event is a reflection of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience and faithfulness lead to divine assistance and success. The victory over Edom and the subsequent renaming signify not only a military conquest but also a spiritual triumph, as it demonstrates God's sovereignty and power over the nations.

Archaeological Insights:

· Joktheel in Judah:
While specific archaeological evidence for Joktheel in Judah is limited, the region of the Shephelah has been extensively studied. Excavations in nearby sites have revealed insights into the lifestyle, fortifications, and agricultural practices of the inhabitants during the biblical period.

· Joktheel in Edom (Sela):
The site of Sela, identified with modern-day Petra in Jordan, has been a focus of archaeological interest. Known for its rock-cut architecture and historical significance, Petra provides a glimpse into the Edomite civilization and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region during the Iron Age.

Conclusion:
Joktheel, in its dual references, serves as a reminder of God's active role in the history of His people. Whether as a city in Judah or a symbol of victory in Edom, Joktheel embodies the themes of divine subjugation and the fulfillment of God's promises.Joktheel

(subdued by God).

1. A city in the low country of Judah, (Joshua 15:38) named next to Lachish.
2. "God-subdued," the title given by Amaziah to the cliff (Authorized Version Selah) --the stronghold of the Edomites-- after he had captured it from them. (2 Kings 14:7) The parallel narrative of (2 Chronicles 25:11-13) supplies fuller details.

Joktheel

1. A city of Judah, Joshua 15:38

2. The name given by Amaziah to the capital of Arabia Petraea, 2 Kings 14:7. See SELA.

Subdued by God.

(1.) A city of Judah near Lachish (Joshua 15, 38). Perhaps the ruin Kutlaneh, south of Gezer.

(2.) Amaziah, king of Judah, undertook a great expedition against Edom (2 Chronicles 25:5-10), which was completely successful. He routed the Edomites and slew vast numbers of them. So wonderful did this victory appear to him that he acknowledged that it could have been achieved only by the special help of God, and therefore he called Selah (q.v.), their great fortress city, by the name of Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7).

JOKTHEEL

jok'-the-el, jok'-thel (yoqethe'el):

(1) A city in the Shephelah of Judah named between Mizpeh and Lachish (Joshua 15:38); unidentified.

(2) A city in Edom formerly called Sela, taken by Amaziah after the battle in the Valley of Salt, and by him called Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7).

See SELA.

3371. Yoqtheel -- a city in Judah, also a city in Edom
... Yoqtheel. 3372 . a city in Judah, also a city in Edom. Transliteration: Yoqtheel
Phonetic Spelling: (yok-theh-ale') Short Definition: Joktheel. ... Joktheel. ...
/hebrew/3371.htm - 6k

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 2 Kings 13:14-19. ** 2 Kings 14:7; cf.2 Gliron. xxv.11, 12. Sela was rebuilt,
and received the name of Joktheel from its Hebrew masters. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Joktheel (2 Occurrences)
... it could have been achieved only by the special help of God, and therefore he called
Selah (qv), their great fortress city, by the name of Joktheel (2 Kings 14 ...
/j/joktheel.htm - 8k

Jok'theel (1 Occurrence)
Jok'theel. Joktheel, Jok'theel. Jok'the-el . Multi-Version Concordance
Jok'theel (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:38 and Dilan, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel; (See ...
/j/jok'theel.htm - 6k

Mizpeh (24 Occurrences)
... position. (3) (mitspeh; Maspha): A town in the Shephelah of Judah named
with Dilan, Joktheel and Lachish (Tell el-Hesy). Eusebius ...
/m/mizpeh.htm - 21k

Joktan (6 Occurrences)

/j/joktan.htm - 8k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... position. (3) (mitspeh; Maspha): A town in the Shephelah of Judah named
with Dilan, Joktheel and Lachish (Tell el-Hesy). Eusebius ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Edomites (22 Occurrences)
... Amaziah invaded the country, slew 10,000 in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela which
he named Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7). Uzziah restored the Edomite port of Elath ...
/e/edomites.htm - 23k

Naming (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Kings 14:7 He put to the sword twelve thousand men of Edom in the Valley
of Salt, and took Sela in war, naming it Joktheel, as it is to this day. (BBE) ...
/n/naming.htm - 12k

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 14:7 He slew of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by
war, and called the name of it Joktheel, unto this day. (See RSV). ...
/j/jok'the-el.htm - 6k

Jekuthiel (1 Occurrence)
... The meaning may be "preservation of God" or perhaps the same as yoqthe'el,
"Joktheel," the name of a place in Joshua 15:38 2 Kings 14:7. ...
/j/jekuthiel.htm - 7k

E'domites (13 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Kings 14:7 He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and
took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day. (See RSV). ...
/e/e'domites.htm - 9k

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