Lexical Summary Ir Shemesh: Ir Shemesh Original Word: עִיר שֶׁמֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ir-shemesh From iyr and shemesh; city of the sun; Ir-Shemesh, a place in Palestine -- Ir-shemesh. see HEBREW iyr see HEBREW shemesh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ir and shemesh Definition "city of the sun," a city in Dan NASB Translation Ir-shemesh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עִיר שָׁ֑מֶשׁ proper name, of a location (city of the sun(-god)), assigned to Dan Joshua 19:41 (P), = ׳בֵּית שׁ q. v.; πόλεις Σαμμαυς, A ᵐ5L πόλις Σαμες. Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting Ir-shemesh appears once in Scripture, in the record of the tribal allotments: “The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh” (Joshua 19:41). The city lay within the land assigned to the tribe of Dan, bordering the Shephelah and the hill country of Judah. Its placement beside Zorah and Eshtaol—towns linked with Samson’s birth and ministry (Judges 13:2; 16:31)—suggests a position near the upper Sorek Valley, an area marking the transition from the Philistine plain to Israelite highlands. Geographical Identification Because the allotment list groups Ir-shemesh with sites otherwise located south-west of Jerusalem, many researchers equate it with Beth-shemesh (“House of the Sun”) about twenty kilometers west-southwest of Jerusalem, modern Tell er-Rumeileh. Others differentiate the two, proposing a yet-unexcavated location slightly north-east of Beth-shemesh, perhaps Khirbet ‘Ain Shemsîyeh. The limited appearance in Scripture leaves final identification open, yet the city’s inclusion in Dan’s inheritance underscores the tribe’s intended westward reach before Philistine pressure forced migration northward (Judges 18:1). Historical Context Ir-shemesh lay on the strategic corridor between the Aijalon Valley and the coastal plain. Control of such passes was crucial throughout the settlement period; later battles near Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6; 2 Kings 14:11) highlight continued contest over the same terrain. Although the text records no direct events at Ir-shemesh itself, its proximity to these theaters implies shared exposure to Philistine incursions and Judahite-Israelite defenses. Symbolic Resonance The city’s name, evoking the sun, invites reflection on light imagery in Scripture. While Israel was repeatedly warned against solar worship practiced by surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 17:3; Ezekiel 8:16), the sun remains a God-given emblem of His benevolent rule: “The Lord God is a sun and shield” (Psalm 84:11). Thus Ir-shemesh stands as a geographic reminder that creation’s brightest light is to serve God’s glory, not supplant it. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Land Inheritance and Faithfulness: Ir-shemesh illustrates the detailed fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel land by specific boundaries (Genesis 15:18-21). Believers today draw assurance from the Lord’s precision in keeping covenant promises (Hebrews 6:17-18). Archaeological Perspective Excavations at Beth-shemesh have uncovered Late Bronze and Iron Age levels matching the chronology of Joshua. City gates, storage complexes, and cultic installations reveal a hub of agricultural and military significance. Should Ir-shemesh be identical with Beth-shemesh, these findings illuminate the environment Dan inherited yet struggled to secure (Judges 1:34). If a separate site, ongoing surveys in the Sorek watershed may yet yield confirmation. Conclusion Though mentioned only once, Ir-shemesh contributes to the rich mosaic of Israel’s settlement, reminding readers that every town, however briefly noted, participates in the overarching narrative of divine promise, human responsibility, and the ultimate dawning of God’s redemptive light in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ שמש׃ šā·meš šāmeš ShameshLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:41 HEB: וְאֶשְׁתָּא֖וֹל וְעִ֥יר שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃ NAS: was Zorah and Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh, KJV: was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh, INT: was Zorah and Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh |
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