What are Shittim in the Bible?

Meaning and Etymology

The term “Shittim” derives from the Hebrew word for “acacia” (Hebrew: שִׁטִּים, shittim), referring to a type of tree that grows in arid regions. The plural form suggests a grove or cluster of these hardy trees. In many English translations, “acacia wood” replaces the older term “shittim wood.”

Biblical References and Location

Shittim frequently appears in the Hebrew Scriptures as both a place and a reference to acacia wood. In place-names, Shittim is often located in the region east of the Jordan River, near the plains of Moab. Numbers 25:1 states, “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab.” Israel’s encampment here highlights the area’s significance just before they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land.

Joshua 2:1 records that Joshua “secretly sent two spies from Shittim” to scout Jericho, underscoring Shittim’s role as a pivotal launching point before Israel’s first major conquest in Canaan. Similarly, Joshua 3:1 notes that “Joshua got up early the next morning and set out from Shittim” before the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River.

Micah 6:5 also references Shittim, connecting events from Balak and Balaam’s narrative to Israel’s journey from Shittim to Gilgal and reminding readers of the broader context in which God guided and protected His people.

Shittim Wood in Biblical Construction

In passages describing the Tabernacle, such as Exodus 25–27, the Berean Standard Bible often uses “acacia” to correspond to the older term “shittim.” For instance, Exodus 25:10 instructs, “They shall make an ark of acacia wood…,” demonstrating the significance of this strong and durable wood in constructing sacred objects—the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, and supporting frames for the Tabernacle.

Acacia wood’s natural resilience and availability in wilderness regions made it a practical building material for Israel. Judean desert regions feature different species of acacia, known for their hardness, insect resistance, and ability to thrive in hot, barren landscapes. These traits reflect a purposeful design in nature, where resources provided around the Israelites served their exact needs for worship.

Historical and Geographical Context

Archaeologically, the plains of Moab around the Jordan Valley present consistent evidence of ancient settlement sites near recognized water sources. Although precise identifications of biblical Shittim can vary, the consistent biblical description places it just northeast of the Dead Sea in what is modern-day Jordan. Travelers, historians, and archaeologists working around the lower Jordan region have observed the existence of wild acacia groves—likely remnants of those that gave Shittim its name.

Events at Shittim and Theological Significance

Shittim appears as a critical setting in Israel’s wilderness narrative. Israel’s moral failing in Numbers 25 contrasts with God’s redemptive work immediately after. Despite that failure, the people still advanced under Joshua’s leadership to cross the Jordan and claim the promised inheritance. This juxtaposition of human weakness with divine faithfulness stands out amid the broader scriptural theme of mercy and covenant.

Prophetically, Joel 3:18 mentions “the Valley of Acacias” (or “the Valley of Shittim”), signifying a restorative future context. Coupled with Micah 6:5, these references suggest that Shittim became a symbolic waypoint of transition and spiritual growth: a marker of human error, divine judgment, and eventual deliverance.

Practical Insights and Lessons

1. Human Frailty and God’s Grace: Shittim’s mention in Numbers 25 demonstrates how quickly people can falter. Yet, it also provides a vivid example of divine mercy and restoration when individuals or entire communities repent.

2. Obedience and Preparation: From Shittim, Joshua sent spies into Jericho and then led the nation across the Jordan. This indicates the importance of obedience and readiness for God-given tasks.

3. Symbolic Reminder of Purity: Acacia (shittim) wood’s durability can serve as a lasting reminder of the need for spiritual resilience. Just as acacia wood was chosen for sacred purposes, believers seek purity and steadfast devotion.

Conclusion

Shittim refers both to a vital location in biblical history—east of the Jordan in the plains of Moab—and to the acacia trees that supplied the wood for the Tabernacle. Its mentions in the Hebrew Scriptures illustrate moments of human failure and divine triumph, emphasize God’s provision for worship, and speak of the continuity between obedience and covenant blessing. From the detailed instructions involving shittim (acacia) wood in Exodus to Israel’s moral test in Numbers, Shittim continues to stand as a scriptural testimony of faithfulness, preparation, and the redemptive purposes at work in sacred history.