The Eshtaulites were the inhabitants of Eshtaol, a town located in the lowland region of the tribe of Judah, near the border with the tribe of Dan. Eshtaol is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the allotment of land and the narratives surrounding the judge Samson.

Biblical References:

1. Allotment of Land:
Eshtaol is first mentioned in the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15:33, Eshtaol is listed among the towns in the Shephelah, or the lowland region, that were allotted to Judah: "In the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah" . This indicates its geographical and tribal significance as part of the inheritance given to Judah.

2. Samson's Narrative:
Eshtaol gains further prominence in the narrative of Samson, one of the judges of Israel. Samson's account begins and ends in the region between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 13:25 notes, "And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol" . This indicates that Eshtaol was a place where the Spirit of the Lord began to move in Samson, marking the beginning of his divinely appointed mission against the Philistines.

Furthermore, after Samson's death, his family retrieved his body and buried him in the tomb of his father Manoah, between Zorah and Eshtaol, as recorded in Judges 16:31: "Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years" . This burial site underscores the familial and tribal connections of Samson to the region.

3. Danite Migration:
The town of Eshtaol is also associated with the migration of the Danites. In Judges 18:2, the Danites sent five men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land for potential settlement: "So the Danites sent out five of their leading men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out and explore the land" . This event is part of the larger narrative of the tribe of Dan seeking a new inheritance due to their inability to fully settle in their allotted territory.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Eshtaol's location in the Shephelah places it in a region of strategic importance, serving as a buffer zone between the coastal Philistine cities and the central hill country of Judah. Archaeological excavations in the area have uncovered evidence of continuous settlement from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age, aligning with the biblical accounts of its significance during the period of the Judges.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Eshtaol represents a place where God's Spirit began to work mightily through Samson, despite his personal failings. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and ability to use flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. The narrative of the Eshtaulites, particularly in relation to Samson, highlights themes of divine empowerment, human weakness, and the ongoing struggle between Israel and its enemies.

In summary, the Eshtaulites, as inhabitants of Eshtaol, are intricately connected to the biblical narratives of land inheritance, divine calling, and the complex history of the tribes of Israel during the period of the Judges.ESHTAOLITES; ESHTAULITES

esh'-ta-ol-its, eshta-u'-lits (ha'eshta'uli, literally, "the Eshtaolite"; the King James Version):

Inhabitants of Eshtaol, named among the descendants of Shobal, the son of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:53).

848. Eshtauli -- inhab. of Eshtaol
... Eshtaulites. Patrial from 'Eshta'ol; an Eshtaolite (collectively) or inhabitant
of Eshtaol -- Eshtaulites. see HEBREW 'Eshta'ol. 847b, 848. Eshtauli. 849 . ...
/hebrew/848.htm - 6kEshtaulites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ESHTAOLITES; ESHTAULITES. esh'-ta-ol ... 53).
Multi-Version Concordance Eshtaulites (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles ...
/e/eshtaulites.htm - 7k

Eshtaulite (1 Occurrence)
... families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and
the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (Root in ...
/e/eshtaulite.htm - 6k

Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences)

/e/eshtemoa.htm - 9k

Zareathite (1 Occurrence)
... families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and
the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (Root in ...
/z/zareathite.htm - 6k

Zareathites (1 Occurrence)
... the families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites,
and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (KJV). ...
/z/zareathites.htm - 6k

Zereathites (1 Occurrence)
... 53 And the families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the
Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zereathites, and the Eshtaulites...
/z/zereathites.htm - 6k

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... the families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites,
and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (KJV). ...
/k/kirjathjearim.htm - 13k

Eshtaolites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ESHTAOLITES; ESHTAULITES. esh'-ta-ol-its,
eshta-u'-lits (ha'eshta'uli, literally, "the Eshtaolite ...
/e/eshtaolites.htm - 7k

Puhites (1 Occurrence)
... families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and
the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (KJV WBS). ...
/p/puhites.htm - 6k

Puhite (1 Occurrence)
... families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and
the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, (Root in ...
/p/puhite.htm - 6k

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