Geographical and Historical Context:
Ibleam is an ancient city mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. It is situated in the region of the Jezreel Valley, which is known for its fertile land and strategic importance. The city is referenced in several biblical passages, indicating its significance during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel.

Biblical References:
Ibleam is first mentioned in the Book of Joshua as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 17:11 states, "Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (the Naphoth), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements." This passage highlights Ibleam as one of the cities that Manasseh was unable to fully conquer, as the Canaanites continued to dwell in the land.

In Judges 1:27, the text reiterates the incomplete conquest: "But Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land." This indicates the persistent presence of Canaanite influence and the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully possessing their allotted territories.

Significant Events:
Ibleam is also noted in the narrative of King Ahaziah of Judah. In 2 Kings 9:27, during the revolt led by Jehu against the house of Ahab, Ahaziah fled by way of the garden house, and Jehu pursued him, saying, "Shoot him too!" So they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, near Ibleam. Ahaziah managed to escape to Megiddo, where he died. This event underscores Ibleam's location along a significant route and its involvement in the political upheavals of the time.

Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of Ibleam has not been definitively identified, it is generally associated with the archaeological site of Khirbet Belameh, near the modern-day city of Jenin in the West Bank. Excavations in the area have revealed remains from various periods, including the Bronze and Iron Ages, which align with the biblical timeline of Ibleam's mention.

Theological Implications:
The narrative of Ibleam in the Bible serves as a reminder of the Israelites' struggle to fully claim the Promised Land due to incomplete obedience to God's commands. The persistence of Canaanite inhabitants in cities like Ibleam illustrates the ongoing spiritual and cultural challenges faced by the Israelites. The city's mention in the context of Ahaziah's death also highlights the broader theme of divine judgment and the fulfillment of prophetic words against the house of Ahab.

Conclusion:
Ibleam's role in biblical history, though not extensively detailed, provides insight into the complexities of Israel's settlement in Canaan and the interplay of divine providence and human agency in the unfolding of biblical events.Ibleam

ancient people; people decreasing

Ibleam

(devouring the people), a city of Manasseh, with villages or towns dependent on it. (Judges 1:27) It appears to have been situated in the territory of either Issachar or Asher. (Joshua 17:11) The ascent of Gur was "at Ibleam," (2 Kings 9:27) somewhere near the present Jenin , probably to the north of it.

People-waster, a city assigned to Manasseh (Joshua 17:11), from which the Israelites, however, could not expel the Canaanites (Judges 1:27). It is also called Bileam (1 Chronicles 6:70). It was probably the modern Jelamah, a village 2 1/2 miles north of Jenin. IBLEAM

ib'-le-am (yibhle`am); A town in the territory of Issachar which was assigned to Manasseh (Joshua 17:11). This tribe, however, failed to expel the inhabitants, so the Canaanites continued to dwell in that land (Judges 1:27). It was on the route by which Ahaziah fled from Jehu. He was overtaken and mortally wounded "at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam" (2 Kings 9:27). The name appears as Bileam in 1 Chronicles 6:70; and it probably corresponds to Belmen of Jth. It is now represented by the ruin of Bel`ameh on the West of the valley through which the road to the south runs, about half a mile from Jenin. In 2 Kings 15:10, where it is said that Zechariah the son of Jeroboam was slain by Shallum "before the people," this last phrase, which is awkward in the Hebrew, should be amended to read "in Bileam." Possibly "Gath-rimmon" in Joshua 21:25 is a clerical error for "Ibleam."

W. Ewing

2991. Yibleam -- a city of Manasseh
... 2990, 2991. Yibleam. 2992 . a city of Manasseh. Transliteration: Yibleam Phonetic
Spelling: (yib-leh-awm') Short Definition: Ibleam. ... Ibleam. ...
/hebrew/2991.htm - 6k

The Boy Joash on the Throne of Judah
... But Jehu followed after him with the words, "Shoot him down, too, in the chariot."
So they shot him down on the way up to Gur, near Ibleam, but he escaped to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the boy joash on the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... All the fortresses commanding the passes of Tabor and Carmel, Megiddo, Taanach,
Ibleam, Jezreel, Endor, and Bethshan remained inviolate, and formed as it were ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... A range of forts, Ibleam, Taanach, and Megiddo,* drawn like a barrier across the
line of advance, protected its southern face, and beyond these a series of ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Ibleam (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IBLEAM. ... He was overtaken and mortally wounded
"at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam" (2 Kings 9:27). ...
/i/ibleam.htm - 9k

Gur (2 Occurrences)
... A whelp, a place near Ibleam where Jehu's servants overtook and mortally wounded
king Ahaziah (2 Kings 9:27); an ascent from the plain of Jezreel. Int. ...
/g/gur.htm - 7k

Megid'do (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns,
and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the ...
/m/megid'do.htm - 10k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

Tanach (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns,
and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the ...
/t/tanach.htm - 7k

Taanach (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its
towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and ...
/t/taanach.htm - 12k

Daughter-towns (17 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 In Issachar and Asher, Manasseh had Beth-shean and its daughter-towns,
and Ibleam and its daughter-towns, and the people of Dor and its daughter ...
/d/daughter-towns.htm - 12k

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns,
and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the ...
/b/beth-shean.htm - 11k

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns,
and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the ...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns,
and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the ...
/b/beth-she'an.htm - 8k

Why did the Israelites take the Canaanites as slaves instead of destroying them as they were instructed? | GotQuestions.org

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