Biblical References:
Shaalabbin is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. It appears in the context of the territorial allotments to the tribes of Israel. The primary reference is found in Joshua 19:42: "Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah."

Location and Historical Context:
Shaalabbin, also referred to as Shaalbim in some biblical passages, was a town allocated to the tribe of Dan. The exact location of Shaalabbin is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to have been situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Israel, which was characterized by its fertile valleys and strategic position between the coastal plain and the central highlands.

The town's name, which can be translated as "place of foxes" or "place of jackals," suggests a landscape that may have been inhabited by these animals, reflecting the natural environment of the area.

Tribal Allotment and Significance:
Shaalabbin was part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Dan, as detailed in Joshua 19. The tribe of Dan, however, struggled to fully possess their allotted territory due to the presence of the Amorites and other Canaanite peoples. This struggle is indicative of the broader challenges faced by the Israelites in securing the Promised Land, as they were often confronted by established city-states and fortified towns.

Judges and Historical Events:
In the period of the Judges, Shaalabbin is mentioned in the context of the exploits of the Danites. Judges 1:35 notes that the Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country, indicating that the tribe of Dan had difficulty maintaining control over their lowland territories, including Shaalabbin.

Cultural and Theological Insights:
Shaalabbin's mention in the Bible, though brief, contributes to the larger narrative of Israel's settlement in Canaan. It highlights the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the indigenous Canaanite populations, a theme that underscores the need for faithfulness and reliance on God to fulfill His promises. The challenges faced by the tribe of Dan in securing their inheritance serve as a reminder of the spiritual and physical battles that accompany the pursuit of God's promises.

Archaeological and Scholarly Perspectives:
While there is limited archaeological evidence directly linked to Shaalabbin, the study of the region's geography and historical records provides insights into the life and times of the biblical period. Scholars often rely on biblical texts, ancient maps, and archaeological findings from nearby sites to piece together the history and significance of towns like Shaalabbin.

Conclusion:
Shaalabbin, though not a major biblical site, plays a role in the narrative of Israel's conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. Its mention in the tribal allotments of Dan reflects the historical and theological themes of struggle, faith, and divine promise that permeate the biblical account of Israel's early history.Or Shaal'bim, a place of foxes, a town of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:42; Judges 1:35). It was one of the chief towns from which Solomon drew his supplies (1 Kings 4:9). It is probably the modern village of Selbit, 3 miles north of Ajalon. SHAALABBIN

sha-a-lab'-in (sha`alabbin; Codex Vaticanus Salabein; Codex Alexandrinus Salamein): A town in the territory of Dan named between Irshemesh and Aijalon (Joshua 19:42). It seems to be identical with SHAALBIM.

8169. Shaalbim -- perhaps "(haunt of) foxes," a city in Dan
... Word Origin from the same as shual Definition perhaps "(haunt of) foxes," a city
in Dan NASB Word Usage Shaalabbin (1), Shaalbim (2). Shaalabbin, Shaalbim. ...
/hebrew/8169.htm - 6kShaalabbin (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHAALABBIN. ...Shaalabbin (1 Occurrence). Joshua
19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). ...
/s/shaalabbin.htm - 7k

Sha-alab'bin (1 Occurrence)
Sha-alab'bin. Shaalabbin, Sha-alab'bin. Shaalbim . ... Sha-alab'bin (1 Occurrence).
Joshua 19:42 and Shaalabbin, and Aijalon, and Ithlah; (See RSV). ...
/s/sha-alab'bin.htm - 6k

Jethlah (1 Occurrence)
... JETHLAH. jeth'-la (yithlah). See ITHLAH. Multi-Version Concordance Jethlah (1
Occurrence). Joshua 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/j/jethlah.htm - 6k

Jithlah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jithlah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:42
and Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jithlah, (DBY). ...
/j/jithlah.htm - 6k

Ithlah (1 Occurrence)
... 42). Multi-Version Concordance Ithlah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:42 Shaalabbin,
Aijalon, Ithlah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/ithlah.htm - 6k

Ai'jalon (10 Occurrences)
... on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!" (See RSV). Joshua
19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (See RSV). Joshua 21:24 ...
/a/ai'jalon.htm - 8k

Aijalon (10 Occurrences)
... You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!" (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV). Joshua
19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE YLT NAS NIV). ...
/a/aijalon.htm - 11k

Ajalon (10 Occurrences)
... the valley of Ajalon. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and
Ajalon, and Jethlah, (KJV DBY WBS). Joshua 21:24 Ajalon ...
/a/ajalon.htm - 10k

Shual (6 Occurrences)
... Land of the fox, a district in the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 13:17); possibly
the same as Shalim (9:4), in the neighbourhood of Shaalabbin (Joshua 19:42). ...
/s/shual.htm - 9k

Shaalabbim (1 Occurrence)

/s/shaalabbim.htm - 6k

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