Lexical Summary Shalishah: Shalishah Original Word: שָׁלִשָׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shalisha Feminine from shalash; trebled land; Shalishah, a place in Palestine -- Shalisha. see HEBREW shalash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shalosh Definition an area of Isr. searched by Saul NASB Translation Shalishah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שָׁלִ֫שָׁה proper name, of a location doubtful; — ׳אֶרֶץשֿׁ 1 Samuel 9:4, B ᵐ5L Σελχα, A Σαλισσα; ? compare בַּעַל שָׁלִשָׁה 2 Kings 4:42. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting and Possible Identification Shalishah is presented in Scripture as a distinct district within the central hill country of Israel, most naturally placed west or north-west of Mount Ephraim, along the caravan route that connected the Benjaminite territory with the Sharon plain. Early Christian writers such as Eusebius located it about fifteen Roman miles from Lydda, while modern proposals often situate it in the vicinity of modern-day Kefr Thilth or Tell el-Farah (North). The area’s well-watered valleys and terraced hills made it suitable for cereal cultivation, an agricultural profile that dovetails with the “firstfruits of barley bread” that later come from nearby Baal Shalishah (2 Kings 4:42). Biblical Occurrence and Narrative Function Shalishah appears once in the Masoretic Text at a pivotal juncture in Israel’s transition from the period of the judges to the united monarchy: The reference is more than a passing travel note. Saul’s seemingly mundane search for his father Kish’s lost donkeys propels him—by way of Shalishah—toward a life-changing encounter with the prophet Samuel. In this way the locale becomes part of the divine choreography that leads to Saul’s anointing as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 10:1). Scripture thereby underlines the sovereignty of God over ordinary geography and daily tasks, using a specific, verifiable place to advance redemptive history. Historical Connections with Baal Shalishah Although Shalishah itself is mentioned only in 1 Samuel 9:4, its name reappears in compound form as Baal Shalishah (“Lord of Shalishah”) in 2 Kings 4:42. There, during Elisha’s ministry, a man “brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh grain in his sack”. The shared toponym suggests continuity of settlement and reinforces the region’s reputation for agricultural abundance. Elisha’s multiplication of those loaves for one hundred men foreshadows Christ’s feeding miracles (John 6:1–14), linking Shalishah to a broader biblical motif of God’s provision. Theological Themes 1. Providence in the Ordinary: Saul’s trek through Shalishah shows that God guides His people even when they are unaware of His larger purposes (Proverbs 16:9). Ministry and Discipleship Reflections • Faithfulness in Routine: Believers are encouraged to pursue daily responsibilities—however mundane—with integrity, trusting God to weave them into His larger plan, just as Saul’s donkey search led to divine appointment. Key References 1 Samuel 9; 2 Kings 4:42–44; Luke 15:4–7; John 6:1–14; Proverbs 16:9; 2 Corinthians 9:10 Forms and Transliterations שָׁלִ֖שָׁה שלשה šā·li·šāh šālišāh shaLishahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 9:4 HEB: וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר בְּאֶֽרֶץ־ שָׁלִ֖שָׁה וְלֹ֣א מָצָ֑אוּ NAS: through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find KJV: the land of Shalisha, but they found INT: and passed the land of Shalishah did not find 1 Occurrence |
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