Lexical Summary Shachatsom: Contempt, disdain Original Word: שׁחֲצוֹם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shahazimah From the same as shachats; proudly; Shachatsom, a place in Palestine -- Shahazimah (from the margin). see HEBREW shachats NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shachats Definition a city in Issachar NASB Translation Shahazumah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁחצומה Kt, שַׁחֲצִ֫ימָה Qr (i.e. [שַׁחֲצִים] + הָ֯) proper name, of a location in Issachar Joshua 19:22; ἐπὶ Σαλειμ κατἀ θάλασσαν, A ᵐ5L Σασειμα(θ). Topical Lexicon Biblical Context Shahazumah is listed once in Scripture, within the catalogue of towns allotted to Issachar: “The border reached Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and ended at the Jordan—sixteen cities with their villages” (Joshua 19:22). Its appearance in this summary of tribal boundaries affirms the meticulous fulfillment of the promise that every tribe would receive a defined inheritance in the land. Geographical Setting The sequence of names surrounding Shahazumah places it east of Mount Tabor and west of the Jordan Valley. It likely lay on the undulating terrain that descends toward the river, an area marked by fertile soil and strategic vantage points overlooking both the Jezreel and Harod valleys. Although an exact modern site has not been verified, proposals cluster around ruins east-southeast of Tabor, where natural corridors converge—consistent with its mention between a well-known height (Tabor) and a recognizable shrine town (Beth-shemesh). Tribal Inheritance and National Cohesion Issachar’s inheritance formed the agricultural heartland of Israel; its fields furnished grain for the northern tribes and, in later history, for the royal court. Shahazumah, as part of this inheritance, contributed to the tribe’s productivity. By enumerating even small settlements, Scripture underscores that every parcel—no matter how obscure—was essential to covenant life. The precision of the land allotment strengthened tribal identity while drawing each clan into the shared mission of occupying the land in obedience to the Lord. Historical and Archaeological Observations No written record outside Joshua 19 explicitly cites Shahazumah, and excavations have yet to yield an inscription bearing its name. Nonetheless, surveys in the vicinity of Mount Tabor have uncovered Iron Age pottery sherds, terrace walls, and rock-hewn cisterns indicative of a late Bronze/early Iron settlement pattern that matches the biblical period of allotment. Such findings lend weight to the reliability of Joshua’s geographic notices and confirm that the border lists reflect genuine on-the-ground realities rather than idealized constructs. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Divine Faithfulness in Detail: The Spirit-inspired preservation of a single-occurrence name testifies that no aspect of God’s provision is insignificant. In ministry, this encourages careful attention to “small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and to believers whose service may seem obscure yet is vital to the body of Christ. Lessons for Today • God’s promises extend to precise particulars; therefore, believers can trust His guidance in the specific contours of their own lives. Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁחֲצִ֙ימָה֙ ושחצימה veshachaTzimah wə·ša·ḥă·ṣî·māh wəšaḥăṣîmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:22 HEB: [וְשַׁחֲצוּמָה כ] (וְשַׁחֲצִ֙ימָה֙ ק) וּבֵ֣ית NAS: to Tabor and Shahazumah and Beth-shemesh, KJV: to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; INT: the border to Tabor Shahazimah and Beth-shemesh become 1 Occurrence |
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