Biblical References:
Eltekeh is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. It is listed among the cities given to the tribe of Dan as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land. The relevant scripture is found in Joshua 19:44: "Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Eltekeh was a city located in the region allotted to the tribe of Dan. The exact location of Eltekeh is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been situated in the lowland region of the Shephelah, an area characterized by rolling hills between the coastal plain and the central highlands of Israel. This region was known for its agricultural productivity and strategic importance, serving as a buffer zone between the Philistine cities on the coast and the Israelite territories inland.

Cultural and Theological Significance:
The allocation of Eltekeh to the tribe of Dan is part of the broader narrative of the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua. This division was a fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. The distribution of the land was conducted by casting lots, a practice that underscored the belief in divine providence guiding the process.

Eltekeh's mention, though brief, is significant in illustrating the challenges faced by the tribe of Dan. The Danites struggled to fully possess their allotted territory due to the presence of strong Canaanite and Philistine forces. This struggle is further elaborated in the Book of Judges, where the Danites eventually sought additional territory in the north.

Archaeological Insights:
While Eltekeh's precise location remains uncertain, some scholars suggest it may be identified with the archaeological site of Tell esh-Shallaf, though this identification is not universally accepted. Excavations in the region have uncovered artifacts and structures that provide insight into the Canaanite and Philistine cultures that coexisted with the Israelites during the period of the Judges.

Related Biblical Themes:
Eltekeh's mention ties into several broader biblical themes, including the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, the challenges of obedience and faith faced by the Israelites, and the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the surrounding nations. The narrative of the land allotment serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His provision and timing.

Conclusion:
While Eltekeh is a minor city in the biblical narrative, its inclusion in the tribal allotments underscores the comprehensive nature of God's promise to Israel. It also highlights the historical and spiritual challenges faced by the Israelites as they sought to establish themselves in the land God had given them.Eltekeh

of grace or mercy

Eltekeh

(God its fear), one of the cities in the border of Dan, (Joshua 19:44) which with its suburbs was allotted to the Kohathite Levites. (Joshua 21:23)

God is its fear, a city in the tribe of Dan. It was a city of refuge and a Levitical city (Joshua 21:23). It has been identified with Beit-Likia, north-east of latrum. ELTEKE; ELTEKEH

el'-te-ke, ('elteqeh Joshua 19:44, 'elteqe' (Joshua 21:23); Codex Vaticanus Alkatha; Codex Alexandrinus, Elketho):

A place in the territory of Dan named between Ekron and Gibbethon (Joshua 19:44), and again between Beth-horon and Gibbethon, as given to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 21:23). It is probably identical with the Assyrian Altaqu, where Sennacherib (Hexagon prism inscrip.) claims to have defeated the allied armies of the Philistines and the Egyptians. It should probably be sought somewhere East of Ekron. Beit Likia, the place marked Eltekeh on the PEF map, seems a position for such an encounter.

It is about 2 1/2 miles Southwest of Beth-horon the Upper.

W. Ewing

514. Elteqe -- a city in Palestine
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a city in Pal. NASB Word
Usage Elteke (1), Eltekeh (1). Eltekeh. Or (more properly ...
/hebrew/514.htm - 6k

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Altaku is certainly Eltekeh of Dan (Joshua 19:44), as was seen from the outset;
the site, however, of Eltekeh cannot be fixed with any certainty. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Sennacherib met him at Eltekeh, and there the combined forces of the Egyptians
and Arabians were defeated and compelled to retreat. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Eltekeh (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELTEKE; ELTEKEH. ... Beit Likia, the place marked
Eltekeh on the PEF map, seems a position for such an encounter. ...
/e/eltekeh.htm - 8k

Gibbethon (5 Occurrences)
... gib'-e-thon (gibbethon): A city in the territory of Dan in the plain named with
Eltekeh and Baalath (Joshua 19:44), and assigned to the Kohathite Levites ...
/g/gibbethon.htm - 9k

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... Mucuru (Egypt) and the bowmen, chariots, and cavalry of Meruhha" (Meroe or Ethiopia),
who had come to Hezekiah's help, took place in the neighborhood of Eltekeh...
/t/tirhakah.htm - 11k

Elteke (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELTEKE; ELTEKEH. ... Beit Likia, the place marked
Eltekeh on the PEF map, seems a position for such an encounter. ...
/e/elteke.htm - 7k

El'tekeh (1 Occurrence)
El'tekeh. Eltekeh, El'tekeh. El-tekeh . Multi-Version Concordance El'tekeh
(1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, (See RSV). ...
/e/el'tekeh.htm - 6k

Baalath (5 Occurrences)
... all over Syria-which appears to be a real survival of "Baal worship." (1) A town
on the border of Dan (Joshua 19:44) associated with Eltekeh and Gibbethon ...
/b/baalath.htm - 9k

Gib'bethon (5 Occurrences)
... Gibbethon, Gib'bethon. Gibea . Multi-Version Concordance Gib'bethon (5 Occurrences).
Joshua 19:44 and Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath; (See RSV). ...
/g/gib'bethon.htm - 7k

Ekron (20 Occurrences)
... Sennacherib raised the siege of Ekron to defeat this army, which he did at Eltekeh,
and then returned and took the city by storm and put to death the leaders ...
/e/ekron.htm - 17k

El'teke (1 Occurrence)
El'teke. Elteke, El'teke. Eltekeh . Multi-Version Concordance El'teke
(1 Occurrence). ... Elteke, El'teke. Eltekeh . Reference Bible.
/e/el'teke.htm - 6k

Ekronite (1 Occurrence)
... Sennacherib raised the siege of Ekron to defeat this army, which he did at Eltekeh,
and then returned and took the city by storm and put to death the leaders ...
/e/ekronite.htm - 9k

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