Biblical References:
Eltolad is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. It appears in the context of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel.

Scriptural Citations:
· Joshua 15:30: "Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,"
· Joshua 19:4: "Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,"

Historical and Geographical Context:
Eltolad is identified as one of the cities in the southern part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. Later, it is also listed among the cities given to the tribe of Simeon. This dual mention suggests that Eltolad was part of the inheritance that Simeon received within the larger territory of Judah, as Simeon's inheritance was situated within Judah's borders (Joshua 19:1).

The precise location of Eltolad is not definitively known today, but it is generally considered to have been situated in the Negev region, a semi-arid area in the southern part of ancient Israel. The Negev was known for its challenging environment, requiring its inhabitants to adapt to the arid conditions.

Theological Significance:
Eltolad, like many of the cities mentioned in the allotment passages of Joshua, serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a significant event in biblical history, symbolizing the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled existence in the Promised Land. This transition is seen as a fulfillment of the covenantal promises made by God to the patriarchs.

The mention of Eltolad in the context of both Judah and Simeon highlights the interconnectedness of the tribes and the shared heritage of the people of Israel. It also reflects the practical realities of land distribution and settlement in ancient times, where tribal boundaries could overlap and cities could be shared or reassigned.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
While Eltolad itself has not been conclusively identified in modern archaeological studies, the broader region of the Negev has been the subject of extensive research. Archaeological findings in the Negev have provided insights into the lifestyle, agriculture, and trade practices of the ancient inhabitants. These findings help to illuminate the historical backdrop against which the biblical narrative unfolds.

Conclusion:
Eltolad, though a minor city in the biblical record, contributes to the larger narrative of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land. Its mention in the tribal allotments underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the complex nature of tribal relationships and land inheritance in ancient Israel.Eltolad

the generation of God

Eltolad

(God's kindred), one of the cities in the south of Judah, (Joshua 15:30) allotted to Simeon, (Joshua 19:4) and in possession of that tribe until the time of David. (1 Chronicles 4:29)

ELTOLAD

el-to'-lad ('eltoladh, "kindred of God"):

A city of Judah in the Negeb near Edom (Joshua 15:30); in Joshua 19:4 ascribed to Simeon. Probably the same as Tolad (1 Chronicles 4:29), the Arabic article "el" being omitted. Site unknown.

513. Eltolad -- "God is generator," a city in S. Judah
... 512, 513. Eltolad. 514 . "God is generator," a city in S. Judah. Transliteration:
Eltolad Phonetic Spelling: (el-to-lad') Short Definition: Eltolad. ...
/hebrew/513.htm - 6kEltolad (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELTOLAD. ...Eltolad (2 Occurrences). Joshua 15:30 Eltolad,
Chesil, Hormah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/e/eltolad.htm - 7k

Elto'lad (2 Occurrences)
Elto'lad. Eltolad, Elto'lad. Elude . ... Joshua 15:30 and Eltolad, and Chesil, and
Hormah; (See RSV). Joshua 19:4 and Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah; (See RSV) ...
/e/elto'lad.htm - 6k

Chesil (1 Occurrence)
... CHESIL. ke'-sil, kes'-il (kecil; A, Chaseir): A town in the extreme South of
Judah named with Eltolad, Hormah and Ziklag (Joshua 15:30). ...
/c/chesil.htm - 7k

Hormah (9 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Joshua 15:30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY
WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 19:4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah ...
/h/hormah.htm - 12k

Kesil (3 Occurrences)
... Kesil (3 Occurrences). Joshua 15:30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, (See NIV). Job 9:9
Making Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south. (YLT). ...
/k/kesil.htm - 7k

El'tekon (1 Occurrence)
El'tekon. Eltekon, El'tekon. Eltolad . Multi-Version Concordance El'tekon
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Eltekon, El'tekon. Eltolad . Reference Bible.
/e/el'tekon.htm - 6k

Bethul (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bethul (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:4 Eltolad, Bethul,
Hormah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bethul.htm - 6k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... are variations in the latter reference): Beer-sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, Balah
(Bilhah), Azem (the King James Version) (Ezem), Eltolad (Tolad), Bethuel ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Tolad (1 Occurrence)
... 4:29). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TOLAD. to-'lad. See ELTOLAD.
Multi-Version Concordance Tolad (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles ...
/t/tolad.htm - 7k

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