A plateau is a flat, elevated landform that rises sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. In biblical times, plateaus were significant for their strategic, agricultural, and pastoral uses. The Bible, while not explicitly mentioning the term "plateau," refers to regions and landscapes that fit this description, particularly in the context of the ancient Near East.

Geographical Context

The land of Israel and its surrounding regions include several plateaus, which played a crucial role in the history and narratives of the Bible. The Transjordan Plateau, for example, is a prominent feature east of the Jordan River. This area includes the territories of Gilead, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, which are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament.

Biblical References

1. Gilead: The region of Gilead, located on the Transjordan Plateau, is often mentioned in the Bible. It was known for its balm, a valuable resin used for medicinal purposes. Jeremiah 8:22 asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" This rhetorical question highlights the region's reputation for healing.

2. Moab and Ammon: These regions, also situated on the plateau, were the descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. The Bible recounts various interactions between the Israelites and these nations. In Deuteronomy 2:9 , God instructs the Israelites, "Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their own."

3. Edom: Located south of Moab, Edom was another significant plateau region. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The Bible records numerous conflicts between Israel and Edom. In Obadiah 1:3-4 , the pride of Edom is addressed: "The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD."

Strategic Importance

Plateaus in biblical times were often chosen for settlements due to their defensible positions and fertile lands. The elevated terrain provided a natural fortification against invaders, while the flat expanses were suitable for agriculture and grazing. This strategic advantage is evident in the numerous fortified cities and settlements found on plateaus throughout the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The plateaus of the ancient Near East were not only significant for their physical attributes but also for their cultural and religious implications. They were often sites of worship and altars, as high places were traditionally associated with closeness to the divine. This is reflected in the frequent biblical injunctions against the worship at "high places," which were often located on elevated terrain, including plateaus.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "plateau," the concept is integral to understanding the geographical and historical context of many biblical events and narratives. The plateaus of the ancient Near East provided strategic, agricultural, and religious significance, shaping the lives and accounts of the people in the biblical text.1. (n.) A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area of land; a table-land.

2. (n.) An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.

6152b. Arab -- "a desert plateau," a country East of Isr.
... 6152a, 6152b. Arab. 6153 . "a desert plateau," a country East of Isr. ... Word Origin
from an unused word Definition "a desert plateau," a country E. of Isr. ...
/hebrew/6152b.htm - 5k

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

776. erets -- earth, land
... 1), earth's (1), fail* (1), floor (1), ground (119), land (1581), lands (57), lands
have their land (2), open (1), other* (2), piece (1), plateau* (1), region ...
/hebrew/776.htm - 6k

6307. Paddan -- the place where Rachel died
... From an unused root meaning to extend; a plateau; or Paddan param {pad-dan' ar-awm'};
from the same and 'Aram; the table-land of Aram; Paddan or Paddan-Aram, a ...
/hebrew/6307.htm - 6k

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... Hewn out of the solid rock at the extreme margin of the mountain-plateau, he seems
to raise his head in order that he may be the first to behold across the ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

In Judaea
... Then he stood on the plateau of Ramah, with the neighbouring heights of Gibeon and
Gibeah, round which so many events in Jewish history had clustered. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... Narrow paths lead southwards to a hill near the top of which is an uneven plateau,
some half-hour's journey in circumference, overgrown, like the hill itself ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... The Sermon on the Mount. (Concerning the Privileges and Requirements of the Messianic
Reign. A Mountain Plateau Not Far from Capernaum.). Subdivision A. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the.htm

Philip visits St. Nilus
... The cell which Nilus had built for himself was on the little plateau in which is
the cleft in the rock where tradition says that Elijah hid himself when he ...
/.../chapter lxii philip visits st.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... The wide Plain of Esdraelon and its eastward extension, the Valley of Jezreel,
cut straight across the central plateau of Palestine. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Bible Study for Boys
... between seventeen and twenty. Boys do not mature by years. Growth and development
is a jump from plateau to plateau. This would fit in ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/ix bible study for boys.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... There can be no reasonable doubt as to the locality of that hamlet (the modern
El-Azariye, of Lazarus'), perched on a broken rocky plateau on the other side of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

The Way to the Sea
... But from Har-hat's movement he had meant to continue along this plateau, out of
sight of Israel, until he had posted part of his army in the way of escape to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... conquerors. To the north the territory of Ammon was bounded by the plateau
of Bashan and the Aramaic kingdoms of Gilead. Southward ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Plateau (13 Occurrences)
... land. 2. (n.) An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.
Multi-Version Concordance Plateau (13 Occurrences). Deuteronomy ...
/p/plateau.htm - 10k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... of Gaza and Gerar, and the Neghebh or "dry region" (the south; see Numbers 13:17
the Revised Version (British and American)), including the plateau and low ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Gilead (130 Occurrences)
... Again, along with Bashan, it indicates the land East of Jordan, as distinguished
from the Moab plateau (Deuteronomy 3:10 Joshua 13:11 2 Kings 10:33). ...
/g/gilead.htm - 56k

Shephelah (2 Occurrences)
... It winds its way first in a northeasterly direction, past the Beth-horons, then,
turning to the Southeast, it reaches the plateau at el-Jib, the ancient Gibeon ...
/s/shephelah.htm - 15k

Brook (75 Occurrences)
... 2. Description: The Brook of Egypt comes down from the plateau et Tih in the Sinai
peninsula and falls into the Mediterranean Sea at latitude 31 5 North ...
/b/brook.htm - 45k

Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... those of the Northwest of 4,000 or 5,000, whereas those which are situated near
the middle of the West coast rise to 8,000 feet, and the plateau which forms ...
/a/arabia.htm - 43k

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... Immediately South of the ridge, to the East of the road, there is a small plateau,
South of which there is a lower ridge, whence the slopes dip into Wady el-Joz ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)
... 21:20; 23:28; 1 Samuel 23:19, 24); or rather not a proper name at all, but simply
"the waste" or "wilderness," the district on which the plateau of Ziph (qv ...
/j/jeshimon.htm - 11k

Ravine (26 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:9 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that
is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plateau of Medeba to Dibon, (DBY). ...
/r/ravine.htm - 14k

Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... The upper division traverses the mountainous plateau of Armenia, and is formed
by the junction of 2 branches, the Frat and the Murad. ...
/e/euphrates.htm - 26k

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

What is the Letter of King Abgar to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Sermon on the Plain? | GotQuestions.org

Plateau: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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