Harosheth, often referred to as Harosheth-ha-Goiim, is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is primarily known as the home and stronghold of Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor. The name "Harosheth" is thought to mean "woodland" or "forest," and "ha-Goiim" translates to "of the nations" or "of the Gentiles," indicating a place associated with various peoples or tribes.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 4:2 · "So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-Goiim."

2. Judges 4:13 · "Sisera summoned all his nine hundred iron chariots and all the men with him, from Harosheth-ha-Goiim to the River Kishon."

3. Judges 4:16 · "Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-ha-Goiim, and all of Sisera’s troops fell by the sword; not a man was left."

Historical and Geographical Context:

Harosheth-ha-Goiim is believed to have been located in the northern part of ancient Israel, near the Kishon River. Its exact location remains uncertain, but it is generally thought to be in the region of the Jezreel Valley or near the modern-day site of Tell el-Amr. The strategic position of Harosheth allowed Sisera to control the surrounding territories and maintain a formidable military presence, as evidenced by his possession of nine hundred iron chariots.

Role in the Biblical Narrative:

The narrative of Harosheth-ha-Goiim is central to the account of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4. The Israelites, oppressed by Jabin and Sisera for twenty years, cried out to the LORD for deliverance. Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, summoned Barak and instructed him to lead an army against Sisera. Barak, with Deborah's support, gathered ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and confronted Sisera's forces.

The LORD intervened on behalf of Israel, causing confusion among Sisera's troops, leading to their defeat at the hands of Barak's forces. Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, where he met his demise. This victory marked a turning point for the Israelites, leading to the eventual downfall of Jabin's reign.

Theological Significance:

Harosheth-ha-Goiim serves as a backdrop for one of the most dramatic deliverances in the Book of Judges. The account underscores themes of divine intervention, faith, and the courage of individuals like Deborah and Jael. It highlights the LORD's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds. The account also emphasizes the importance of obedience and trust in God's promises, as demonstrated by Barak's reliance on Deborah's prophetic guidance.

In summary, Harosheth-ha-Goiim is a testament to God's power and faithfulness in the history of Israel, serving as a reminder of His providential care and the ultimate triumph of His purposes.Harosheth

a forest; agriculture; workmanship; deafness; silence

Harosheth

(workmanship) "of the Gentiles" so called from the mixed races that inhabited it --a city in the north of the land of Canaan, supposed to have stood on the west coast of the lake Merom from which the Jordan issues forth in one unbroken stream. It was the residence of Sisera captain of Jabin king of Canaan, (Judges 4:2) and it was the point to which the victorious Israelites under Barak pursued the discomfited host and chariots of the second potentate of that name. (Judges 4:16)

Harosheth of the Gentiles

(Judges 4:2) or nations, a city near Hazor in Galilee of the Gentiles, or Upper Galilee, in the north of Palestine. It was here that Jabin's great army was marshalled before it went forth into the great battlefield of Esdraelon to encounter the army of Israel, by which it was routed and put to flight (Judges 4). It was situated "at the entrance of the pass to Esdraelon from the plain of Acre" at the base of Carmel. The name in the Hebrew is Harosheth ha Gojim, i.e., "the smithy of the nations;" probably, as is supposed, so called because here Jabin's iron war-chariots, armed with scythes, were made. It is identified with el-Harithiyeh.

HAROSHETH, OF THE GENTILES, OF THE NATIONS

ha-ro'-sheth or (charosheth ha-goyim): There is now no means of discovering what is meant by the phrase "of the nations." This is the place whence Sisera led his hosts to the Kishon against Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:13), to which the discomfited and leaderless army fled after their defeat (Judges 4:16). No site seems so well to meet the requirements of the narrative as el Charithiyeh. There are still the remains of an ancient stronghold on this great double mound, which rises on the North bank of the Kishon, in the throat of the pass leading by the base of Carmel, from the coast to Esdraelon. It effectually commands the road which here climbs the slope, and winds through the oak forest to the plain; Megiddo being some 16 miles distant. The modern also preserves a reminiscence of the ancient name. By emending the text, Cheyne would here find the name "Kadshon," to be identified with Kedesh in Galilee (EB, under the word). On any reasonable reading of the narrative this is unnecessary.

W. Ewing

2800. Charosheth -- a place in Palestine
... a place in Palestine. Transliteration: Charosheth Phonetic Spelling: (khar-o'-sheth)
Short Definition: Harosheth-hagoyim. ... NASB Word Usage Harosheth-hagoyim* (3). ...
/hebrew/2800.htm - 6k

1471. goy -- nation, people
... Word Origin from the same as gav Definition nation, people NASB Word Usage every
nation (2), Gentiles (1), Goiim (1), Harosheth-hagoyim* (3), herds (1), nation ...
/hebrew/1471.htm - 6k

Women who Saved a Nation
... had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred
iron chariots, and all his people from the heathen city Harosheth to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

Gamala. Chorazin.
... to this, "It is lawful for cattle to feed in common, in the woods, yea, for the
tribe of Judah [to feed] in the tribe of Nephthali." Hence 'Harosheth of the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 94 gamala chorazin.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... They had for some time been under the Amorite yoke, and the sacred writings represent
them at this juncture as oppressed either by Sisera of Harosheth-ha-Goyim ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Sisera (18 Occurrences)
... Sisera resided in Harosheth of the Gentiles, a place identified with el-Charithiyeh,
on the right bank of the Kishon and commanding the way from the Central ...
/s/sisera.htm - 17k

Goyim (7 Occurrences)
... selleth them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who hath reigned in Hazor, and
the head of his host 'is' Sisera, and he is dwelling in Harosheth of the ...
/g/goyim.htm - 8k

Haggoyim (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:2 Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in
Hazor; the captain of whose army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth of the ...
/h/haggoyim.htm - 7k

Jabin (8 Occurrences)
... was slain (Joshua 11:1-9). (2) "The king of Canaan, that reigned (or had reigned)
in Hazor." It is not clear whether he dwelt in Hazor or Harosheth, the home ...
/j/jabin.htm - 11k

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 4:13 So Sisera got together all his war-carriages, nine hundred
war-carriages of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the ...
/w/war-carriages.htm - 31k

Chariots (118 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:13 Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots
of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles ...
/c/chariots.htm - 42k

Harosheth (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Harosheth of the Gentiles. ... Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. HAROSHETH, OF THE GENTILES, OF THE NATIONS. ...
/h/harosheth.htm - 9k

Harosheth-goiim (3 Occurrences)
Harosheth-goiim. Harosheth, Harosheth-goiim. Haro'sheth-ha-goiim .
Multi-Version Concordance Harosheth-goiim (3 Occurrences). ...
/h/harosheth-goiim.htm - 7k

Harosheth-hagoyim (3 Occurrences)
Harosheth-hagoyim. Haroshethhagoyim, Harosheth-hagoyim. Harp . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia HAROSHETH, OF THE GENTILES, OF THE NATIONS. ...
/h/harosheth-hagoyim.htm - 8k

Haroshethhagoyim
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HAROSHETH, OF THE GENTILES, OF THE NATIONS.
ha-ro'-sheth or (charosheth ha-goyim): There is now ...
/h/haroshethhagoyim.htm - 7k

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