In biblical literature, plains are often depicted as significant geographical features that serve as settings for various historical and theological events. The term "plain" refers to a broad area of flat or gently rolling land, which can be found in several regions throughout the biblical narrative. These areas are often fertile and suitable for agriculture, making them important for the sustenance of the people and the development of early civilizations.

Plains of Shinar

One of the earliest mentions of plains in the Bible is the "plain of Shinar," where the Tower of Babel was constructed. Genesis 11:2 states, "And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there." This plain is significant as the site of humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens, an act of pride that led to the confusion of languages and the scattering of people across the earth.

Plains of Moab

The plains of Moab hold particular importance in the narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. Numbers 22:1 records, "Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab across from Jericho." It is here that the Israelites encamped before crossing the Jordan River into Canaan. The plains of Moab are also the setting for the account of Balaam and his donkey, as well as the final speeches and blessings of Moses before his death.

Valley of Jezreel

The Valley of Jezreel, often referred to as a plain, is a fertile region in northern Israel. It is a site of numerous battles and significant events. Judges 6:33 mentions, "Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples joined forces, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel." This plain is notable for the account of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, demonstrating God's power and deliverance.

Plains of Mamre

The plains of Mamre are associated with the patriarch Abraham. Genesis 13:18 states, "So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD." This location is significant as a place where God appeared to Abraham and reaffirmed His covenant, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.

Plains of Jericho

The plains of Jericho are mentioned in the context of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan. Joshua 4:13 notes, "About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the LORD to the plains of Jericho for war." This area served as the staging ground for the Israelites' first major victory in the Promised Land, the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls.

Theological Significance

In the biblical narrative, plains often symbolize places of decision, revelation, and divine intervention. They are settings where God interacts with His people, providing guidance, judgment, and blessing. The fertility and openness of plains can also represent the abundance and provision of God, as well as the potential for human pride and rebellion, as seen in the account of Babel. Throughout Scripture, plains serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His redemptive plan for humanity.Plains

This one term does duty in the Authorized Version for no less than seven distinct Hebrew words.

1. Abel . This word perhaps answers more nearly to our word "meadow" than any other. It occurs in the names of Abel-maim Abel-meholah, Abel-shittim and is rendered "plain" in (Judges 11:33) --"plain of vineyards."
2. Bikah . Fortunately we are able to identify the most remarkable of the bikahs of the Bible, and thus to ascertain the force of the term. The great plain or valley of Coele-Syria, the "hollow land" of the Greeks, which separates the two ranges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon is the most remarkable of them all. Out of Palestine we find denoted by the word bikah the "plain of the land of Shiner," (Genesis 11:2) the "plain of Mesopotamia," (Ezekiel 3:22,23; 8:4; 37:1,2) and the "plain in the province of Dura." (Daniel 3:1)
3. Ha shefelah the invariable designation of the depressed, flat or gently-undulating region which intervened between the highlands of Judah and the Mediterranean, and was commonly in possession of the Philistines.
4. Elon . Our translators have uniformly rendered this word "plain;" but this is not the verdict of the majority or the most trustworthy of the ancient versions. They regard the word as meaning an "oak" or "grove of oaks," a rendering supported by nearly all the commentators and lexicographers of the present day, The passages in which the word occurs erroneously translated "plain" are as-follows: Plain of Moreh, (Genesis 12:6; 11:30) plain of Mamre, (Genesis 13:18; 14:13; 18:1) plain of Zaanaim, (Judges 4:11) plain of the pillar, (Judges 9:6) plain of Meonenim, (Judges 9:37) plain of Tabor, (1 Samuel 10:5)

6160. arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley ...
... or desert plain, also a desert valley running S. from the Sea of Galilee NASB Word
Usage Arabah (28), desert (7), desert plain (2), desert plains (2), deserts ...
/hebrew/6160.htm - 6k

4334. mishor -- a level place, uprightness
... Word Origin from yashar Definition a level place, uprightness NASB Word Usage fairness
(1), level (2), level place (1), plain (12), plains (1), plateau (2 ...
/hebrew/4334.htm - 6k

Habits and Condition of the People. Mission Work and Retirement.
... Like their brethren in the plains, the people in the hills live chiefly on
cereals"the cheaper cereals"and vegetables; but, like most below, including even ...
/.../chapter xxiii habits and condition.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... NEEDED BOLSTERING UP. But his covetous eye looked upon the well-watered plains of
the valley of the Jordan that reached out towards Sodom, and he chose them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm

Introduction
... Its population could never have been great, and though cities and villages were
crowded together on the plains and in the valleys, and perched at times on ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the ...
... Prophet Ezekiel long ago foretold under this same figure, saying, "I will draw thee
out with My hook, and stretch thee out upon the earth: the plains shall be ...
/.../16 but perhaps some one.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... Naturally they settled first along the fertile coast plains that skirt the western
Mediterranean. In later times these were known as the Phoenicians. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Psalm CIV.
... 8. "The mountains ascend, and the plains go down, into the place which Thou hast
founded for them" (ver.8). He is still speaking of waters. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm civ.htm

Of Nature, and of the World; and a Censure of the Stoics and ...
... down precipitously; how often cities and islands have been overwhelmed by waves,
and gone into the deep; marshes have inundated fruitful plains, rivers and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii of nature and of.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... escaped the ravages of war. "Alaric traversed, without resistance, the plains
of Macedonia and Thessaly. The troops which had been ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... His flocks dotted the plains, and his cattle sent down their lowing from encircling
hills. But more than these to him was the affection of his beautiful wife. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

On Earthly Things
... [Matt.13:38]. The plains are the saints and the divine scriptures, on which they
put out fodder for the living; in the psalm: the plains are full of riches. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iii on earthly things.htm

Plains (31 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plains (31 Occurrences). ... But look round, I tell you, and
observe these plains-- they are already ripe for the sickle. (WEY). ...
/p/plains.htm - 16k

Desert (322 Occurrences)
... It is also translated "plains;" as "the plains of Jericho" (Joshua 5:10; 2 Kings
25:5), "the plains of Moab" (Numbers 22:1; Deuteronomy 34:1, 8), "the plains...
/d/desert.htm - 46k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... On the North of this desert lie the plains of Gaza and Gerar, and the Neghebh or
"dry region" (the south; see Numbers 13:17 the Revised Version (British and ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Champaign (1 Occurrence)
... James Version margin "plain," the Revised Version (British and American) "the Arabah."
The plural is used in Joshua 5:10 2 Kings 25:5, "the plains of Jericho ...
/c/champaign.htm - 10k

Cart (12 Occurrences)
... readily led to their adoption. From Egypt they gradually found their way
among the people of the Palestinian plains. In the hills of ...
/c/cart.htm - 15k

Opposite (137 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Numbers 22:1 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in
the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. (See NAS). ...
/o/opposite.htm - 37k

Phoenicians
... The plains along the coast are not extensive, but generally very fertile and bear
abundant crops of wheat, barley and other cereals, where not given to the ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... The plains along the coast are not extensive, but generally very fertile and bear
abundant crops of wheat, barley and other cereals, where not given to the ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Across (172 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Numbers 22:1 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in
the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. (See NIV). ...
/a/across.htm - 35k

Overtook (35 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Kings 25:5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook
him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him. ...
/o/overtook.htm - 17k

What is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Shittim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Dothan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Plains: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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