Lexical Summary Eshtemoa: Eshtemoa Original Word: אֶשְׁתְּמֹעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eshtemoa, Eshtemoh Or beshtmowam {esh-tem-o'-ah}; or seshtmoh {esh-tem-o'}; from shama' (in the sense of obedience); Eshtemoa or Eshtemoh, a place in Palestine -- Eshtemoa, Eshtemoh. see HEBREW shama' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a man of Judah, also a city in Judah NASB Translation Eshtemoa (5), Eshtemoh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶשְׁתְּמוֺעַ Joshua 21:14, אֶשְׁתְּמֹעַ 1 Samuel 30:28; 1 Chronicles 4:17,19; 1 Chronicles 6:42, אֶשְׁתְּמֹה Joshua 15:50 proper name, of a location Levitical city in mountain-country of Judah, south of Hebron, modern Semû± see RobBR i. 464, ii. 204 Surveyiii. 403 BdPal. 153; 1 Chronicles 4:17,19 it appears as proper name, masculine of a man of Judah. (On the form, compare below אֶשְׁתָּאוֺל.) Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Eshtemoa (modern es-Samoaʿ) lies about ten kilometres (six miles) south-south-west of Hebron in the hill country of Judah. The ridge-top site overlooks fertile valleys that encouraged both agriculture and pastoralism, and its proximity to main north-south routes made it a natural stopping-place between Hebron and the Negev. Allocation within the Tribal Territory of Judah When the Promised Land was apportioned, Eshtemoa was listed among “Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor, Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon—six cities with their villages” (Joshua 15:58–59). The placement among upland towns underlines the strategic value of Judah’s interior highlands that formed a defensive spine for the tribe. Levitical City and Priestly Ministry Soon after the Conquest, part of Eshtemoa’s territory was assigned to the priestly descendants of Aaron: “Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands” (Joshua 21:14; compare 1 Chronicles 6:57). As one of the forty-eight Levitical towns, Eshtemoa provided residence, pastureland, and ministry base for priests serving at the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). Its location among southern Judeans gave worshippers convenient access to priests for instruction in the Law (Leviticus 10:11), adjudication of vows, and ceremonial purification. The allotment exemplifies the Lord’s design that His Word and worship permeate every tribal region, not remain centralized only in Shiloh or, later, Jerusalem. Association with David’s Benevolence After the dramatic recovery of plunder at Ziklag, David “sent some of the spoils to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, ‘Here is a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD’… to those in Eshtemoa” (1 Samuel 30:26-28). The gift forged loyalty in what would become David’s power-base and illustrated the principle that victory spoils were ultimately the LORD’s and were to be shared with His people (verse 24). That priests lived in Eshtemoa adds a spiritual dimension: the city not only benefitted materially but also stood as a witness to David’s recognition that military success is God-given and must serve covenant purposes. Genealogical References Two personal references (1 Chronicles 4:17, 4:19) speak of individuals designated “father of Eshtemoa” and “Eshtemoa the Maacathite.” Such phrases most naturally identify clan leaders who settled or administrated the town, showing that the settlement produced families prominent enough to be preserved in Judah’s genealogies. The mention of a Maacathite suggests assimilation of non-Israelites into Judah’s social fabric under covenant influence. Later Historical and Archaeological Notes Excavations at es-Samoaʿ have yielded Iron Age pottery, confirming occupation during the united monarchy, and a large public building from the late Roman/Byzantine period, interpreted as a synagogue with a mosaic of a seven-branched menorah. Textile documents from the Bar-Kokhba correspondence also reference Eshtemoa, attesting to a continued Jewish presence into the second century AD. Such continuity underscores the enduring identification of the site with biblical Eshtemoa and provides tangible testimony to the Scriptures’ historical reliability. Theological and Practical Reflections 1. Integration of Worship and Daily Life: The establishment of a priestly city within Judah reminds believers that spiritual instruction belongs among every community, anticipating the New Testament’s call for the priesthood of all believers. In Scripture and history alike, Eshtemoa stands as a testament to the LORD’s provision: a city allotted for priestly service, blessed through Davidic kindness, and remembered through generations as part of the unfolding plan of redemption. Forms and Transliterations אֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ אֶשְׁתְּמֹֽעַ׃ אשתמע אשתמע׃ בְּאֶשְׁתְּמֹֽעַ׃ באשתמע׃ וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖ה וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ ואשתמה ואשתמע ’eš·tə·mō·a‘ ’eštəmōa‘ bə’eštəmōa‘ bə·’eš·tə·mō·a‘ beeshteMoa eshteMoa veeshteMoa veeshteMoh wə’eštəmōa‘ wə’eštəmōh wə·’eš·tə·mō·a‘ wə·’eš·tə·mōhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:50 HEB: וַעֲנָ֥ב וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖ה וְעָנִֽים׃ NAS: and Anab and Eshtemoh and Anim, KJV: And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, INT: and Anab and Eshtemoh and Anim Joshua 21:14 1 Samuel 30:28 1 Chronicles 4:17 1 Chronicles 4:19 1 Chronicles 6:57 6 Occurrences |
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