Eshterah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua. It is identified as one of the towns given to the tribe of Ephraim, which was one of the prominent tribes of Israel. The reference to Eshterah is found in Joshua 21:21, where it is listed among the Levitical cities assigned to the Kohathite clans, who were descendants of Levi and had specific religious duties in the Israelite community.

Biblical Reference:

· Joshua 21:21 : "They gave them Shechem (a city of refuge for the manslayer) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer,"

While Eshterah itself is not explicitly named in this verse, it is understood to be part of the broader region associated with the Levitical cities. The cities of refuge, such as Shechem, were significant in Israelite society as they provided sanctuary for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, allowing them a place of safety until a fair trial could be conducted.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Eshterah's precise location is not definitively known today, but it is generally associated with the central hill country of Ephraim. This region was known for its fertile land and strategic importance, serving as a central hub for the northern tribes of Israel. The allocation of cities like Eshterah to the Levites underscores the importance of religious and judicial functions within the tribal confederation of Israel.

Theological Significance:

The assignment of Eshterah and other cities to the Levites highlights the unique role of the Levites in Israelite society. As the tribe set apart for religious duties, the Levites were not given a contiguous territory like the other tribes but were instead distributed among the tribes of Israel. This distribution ensured that the Levitical priesthood could serve the spiritual needs of the entire nation, maintaining the worship of Yahweh and the observance of the Law.

The mention of Eshterah, though brief, contributes to the broader narrative of the Israelites' settlement in the Promised Land and the establishment of their societal structures. It reflects the careful organization and divine provision for the spiritual leadership of the nation, as ordained by God through Moses and Joshua.

Cultural and Religious Role:

In the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel, cities like Eshterah played a crucial role in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. The presence of the Levites in these cities ensured that the teachings of the Law were accessible to all Israelites, promoting a society grounded in justice, mercy, and faithfulness to God's commandments.

Eshterah, as part of the Levitical cities, would have been a place where the Israelites could seek guidance, offer sacrifices, and participate in the religious festivals that were central to their identity as God's chosen people. The Levitical cities served as centers of learning and worship, reinforcing the values and beliefs that defined the Israelite community.1203. Beeshterah -- perhaps "house of Ashtoreth," a Levitical city ...
... perhaps "house of Ashtoreth," a Levitical city in Manasseh. Transliteration: Beeshterah
Phonetic Spelling: (beh-esh-ter-aw') Short Definition: Be-eshterah. ...
/hebrew/1203.htm - 6kBe-eshterah (1 Occurrence)
Be-eshterah. Beeshterah, Be-eshterah. Beesh'terah . Multi-Version
Concordance Be-eshterah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 21:27 ...
/b/be-eshterah.htm - 6k

Eshterah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eshterah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 21:27 They gave
to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites ...
/e/eshterah.htm - 6k

Beeshterah (1 Occurrence)
... king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 14, etc.); `ashteroth qarnayim, the scene of the defeat
of the Rephaim by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5): (be`eshterah) a Levitical ...
/b/beeshterah.htm - 12k

Ashtaroth (13 Occurrences)
... The name Beesh-terah (Joshua 21:27) is a contraction for Beth-eshterah, ie, "the
house of Ashtaroth.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) Plural of Ashtoreth. Int. ...
/a/ashtaroth.htm - 17k

Eshton (2 Occurrences)

/e/eshton.htm - 7k

Esh'temoh (1 Occurrence)
Esh'temoh. Eshtemoh, Esh'temoh. Eshterah . ... Joshua 15:50 and Anab, and Eshtemoh,
and Anim; (See RSV). Eshtemoh, Esh'temoh. Eshterah . Reference Bible.
/e/esh'temoh.htm - 6k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... the families of the Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh Golan in Bashan with
its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Be Eshterah with its ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Beesh'terah (1 Occurrence)
Beesh'terah. Be-eshterah, Beesh'terah. Beesh-terah . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Be-eshterah, Beesh'terah. Beesh-terah . Reference Bible.
/b/beesh'terah.htm - 6k

Ashterothkarnaim
... king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 14, etc.); `ashteroth qarnayim, the scene of the defeat
of the Rephaim by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5): (be`eshterah) a Levitical ...
/a/ashterothkarnaim.htm - 11k

Ashteroth-karnaim (1 Occurrence)
... king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 14, etc.); `ashteroth qarnayim, the scene of the defeat
of the Rephaim by Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5): (be`eshterah) a Levitical ...
/a/ashteroth-karnaim.htm - 12k

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