Table-lands, also known as plateaus, are elevated flat regions that are often found in various parts of the biblical landscape. These geographical features are significant in the biblical narrative, providing settings for historical events, agricultural activities, and symbolic meanings.

Geographical Context

In the biblical context, table-lands are primarily associated with regions in the Near East, including parts of modern-day Israel, Jordan, and Syria. The highlands of Gilead and Bashan, for example, are notable table-lands mentioned in the Bible. These areas are characterized by their fertile soil and strategic locations, making them ideal for settlement and agriculture.

Biblical References

1. Gilead: The table-land of Gilead is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It is a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and pastoral lands. In Genesis 31:21, Jacob flees to the hill country of Gilead, highlighting its role as a place of refuge. The prophet Jeremiah also refers to the balm of Gilead as a symbol of healing (Jeremiah 8:22).

2. Bashan: Bashan is another significant table-land, renowned for its rich pastures and strong cattle. In Deuteronomy 3:10, the conquest of Bashan by the Israelites under Moses is recorded, emphasizing its importance as a land of abundance. The "cows of Bashan" are mentioned in Amos 4:1, symbolizing the wealth and complacency of the people.

3. Moab: The table-lands of Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, are frequently mentioned in the context of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 21:20, the Israelites camp in the plains of Moab, preparing to cross the Jordan River. The region's elevated position provided a vantage point for Balaam to view the encampment of Israel (Numbers 23:14).

Symbolic Significance

Table-lands in the Bible often symbolize stability, abundance, and divine provision. Their elevated nature can represent a place of closeness to God, as seen in the Psalms where the psalmist speaks of God setting a table in the presence of enemies (Psalm 23:5). This imagery conveys a sense of security and blessing, akin to the fertile and protected nature of a plateau.

Cultural and Historical Impact

The table-lands of the biblical world were crucial for the development of ancient societies. Their fertile grounds supported agriculture, while their strategic locations offered protection against invasions. The control of these regions often determined the power dynamics between neighboring tribes and nations, as seen in the conflicts over territories like Gilead and Bashan.

In summary, table-lands in the Bible are more than just geographical features; they are integral to the narrative, providing settings for divine encounters, historical events, and symbolic teachings. Their presence in the biblical text underscores the importance of land and geography in understanding God's interaction with His people.

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... mountainous region, with its greatest elevation on the seaboard: it slopes gradually
towards the interior, spreading out into chalky table-lands, dotted over ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... his belief in the Great Spirit, and his worship without images or pictorial
representations;[1] beside the stalwart Mandingo of the high table-lands of Central ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm

Daily Bread.
... Central India, from the muddy swamps of China to the billowy prairies of America,
from the level of the sea-shore to the lofty valleys and table-lands of the ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxii daily bread.htm

Kumaon.
... Here and there are valleys of some extent, table-lands and open fields are occasionally
seen; but over a great part of the province hill is separated from hill ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

Two Fountains, one Stream
... We cannot pass from the black frowning cliffs on one side of the gorge to the sunny
tablelands on the other without a bridge"and the bridge for a poor soul ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/two fountains one stream.htm

The Heart with the Treasure.
... its budded wings wither and damp and drop away from its shoulders, instead of haunting
the open plains and the high-uplifted table-lands, spreading abroad its ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/the heart with the treasure.htm

The First Year --Society and Climate.
... region, a great continent, with every variety of scenery, with plains extending
hundreds of miles, and vast stretches of forests, with table-lands and lofty ...
/.../chapter vi the first yearsociety.htm

Seal and Earnest
... other and our eyesight cannot travel, we may be sure it goes steadily up still to
the top of the pass, until it reaches 'the shining table-lands whereof our ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/seal and earnest.htm

Down the Islands
... Had the rocks been stratified and tolerably horizontal, these rains would have cut
them out into tablelands divided by deep gullies, such as may be seen in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... The scarcity of rain in the central table-lands is much against a regular supply
of water to the springs of the rivers: the water is soon sucked up by a parched ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Table-lands (2 Occurrences)
Table-lands. Table-land, Table-lands. Tables . Multi-Version
Concordance Table-lands (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 34 ...
/t/table-lands.htm - 7k

Table-land (8 Occurrences)
Table-land. Tableland, Table-land. Table-lands . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(See JPS). Tableland, Table-land. Table-lands . Reference Bible.
/t/table-land.htm - 9k

Tables (41 Occurrences)

/t/tables.htm - 20k

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... Psalm 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the
highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern ...
/j/jerusalem.htm - 89k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 34:1 And Moses went up from the table-lands of Moab to Mount
Nebo, to the top of Pisgah which is facing Jericho. And ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... This division-line is one conformable to the physical features, because north of
it the table-lands of "Judea" give place to the more broken mountain groups of ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Media (14 Occurrences)
... Demavand in the Alburz range reaching 18,600 ft. Atropatene was famed for the fertility
of its valleys and table-lands, except toward the North. ...
/m/media.htm - 15k

Persia (30 Occurrences)
... The table-lands in which lie the modern city of Shiraz and the ruins of
Persepolis and Pasargadae are well watered and productive. ...
/p/persia.htm - 20k

Phrygia (4 Occurrences)
... PHRYGIA. frij'-ia (Phrugia): A large ancient country of Central Asia Minor, very
mountainous and with table-lands reaching 4,000 ft. in height. ...
/p/phrygia.htm - 11k

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