A tableland, often referred to as a plateau, is a flat, elevated area of land that rises sharply above the surrounding terrain. In biblical times, tablelands were significant for their strategic, agricultural, and pastoral uses. The Bible references various regions that can be identified as tablelands, which played crucial roles in the narratives of the Old and New Testaments.

Geographical Significance

Tablelands in the biblical context are often associated with regions that provided natural fortifications and fertile grounds for agriculture and grazing. These elevated areas were advantageous for defense against enemies and were often chosen as sites for settlements and cities.

Biblical References

1. Moabite Tableland: The region of Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, is characterized by its extensive tablelands. This area is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. In Numbers 21:20, the Israelites camped in the plains of Moab, which is described as a tableland overlooking the wasteland. The Moabite tableland was a significant area during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

2. Gilead: Another notable tableland is Gilead, located east of the Jordan River. Known for its balm, Gilead is mentioned in several passages, including Jeremiah 8:22, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" The region's elevated terrain made it a strategic location for various tribes and kingdoms.

3. Bashan: The land of Bashan, north of Gilead, is also a prominent tableland. Renowned for its fertile soil and rich pastures, Bashan is mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:10, "We took all the cities of the plain and all Gilead and all Bashan as far as Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan." The tableland of Bashan was known for its strong cities and mighty inhabitants.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, tablelands were vital for their agricultural potential. The flat, elevated terrain allowed for the cultivation of crops and the grazing of livestock, which were essential for sustaining the populations of the biblical regions. The strategic advantage of tablelands also made them desirable locations for fortresses and cities, as they provided a natural defense against invaders.

Spiritual and Theological Implications

Tablelands in the Bible often symbolize places of refuge and provision. The elevated nature of these regions can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual elevation and closeness to God. The fertile lands of the tablelands reflect God's provision and blessing upon His people, as seen in the prosperity of regions like Bashan and Gilead.

In summary, tablelands in the biblical narrative are more than just geographical features; they are integral to the history, culture, and spiritual life of the people of the Bible. These elevated regions provided security, sustenance, and a connection to the divine, underscoring their importance in the biblical landscape.

The Memphite Empire
... This country is a tableland, gently inclined from south to north, bare, sombre,
covered with flint-shingle, and siliceous rocks, and breaking out at frequent ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Schoolboy of Madaura
... At last, upon a piece of tableland, Madaura comes into view, all white in the midst
of the vast tawny plain, where to-day nothing is to be seen but a mausoleum ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the schoolboy of madaura.htm

Further Journeying About Galilee.
... If so, the second miracle at Cana explains the devotion of Joanna to Jesus. Herod's
capital was at Sephoris, on an elevated tableland not far from Capernaum. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvii further journeying about galilee.htm

November the Tenth Nevertheless!
... Always, in the realm of the Spirit, the dogged "nevertheless" will lead to the
"shining tableland to which our God Himself is moon and sun.". ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/november the tenth nevertheless.htm

The Centurion
... More than twenty miles from Capernaum, on a tableland overlooking the wide, beautiful
plain of Esdraelon, lay the village of Nain, and thither Jesus next bent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 32 the centurion.htm

His Missionary Travels
... preliminary dangers were surmounted, the prospect beyond was anything but inviting:
the country to the north of the Taurus was a vast tableland, more elevated ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
... It was for all the natives of Bengal and of India north of the Dekhan ("south")
tableland, but especially for the Bengali-speaking people, that William Carey ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter x the wyclif of.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... cavernarum of Suetonius. The villa extends on the tableland, or ridge,
between the valleys of la Cecchina and Melaina. Its main ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Tableland (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tableland (8 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3:10 All
the towns of the table-land and all Gilead and Bashan as ...
/t/tableland.htm - 8k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... It is a high tableland, averaging some 3,000 ft. above the level of the
Mediterranean and 4,300 ft. ... The tableland is fertile but lacks water. ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Moab (162 Occurrences)
... It is a high tableland, averaging some 3,000 ft. above the level of the
Mediterranean and 4,300 ft. ... The tableland is fertile but lacks water. ...
/m/moab.htm - 62k

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

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... The high central tableland is tilted down toward the North and West; the mountain
ranges on these sides are not so lofty as the Taurus chain on the South and ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... The high central tableland is tilted down toward the North and West; the mountain
ranges on these sides are not so lofty as the Taurus chain on the South and ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

Table (125 Occurrences)

/t/table.htm - 62k

Who were the Arameans? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Cushites? | GotQuestions.org

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

Tableland: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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