Nibshan
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Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Reference:
Nibshan is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. It is listed among the cities in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The reference can be found in Joshua 15:62.

Scriptural Citation:
Joshua 15:62 : "Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages."

Geographical Context:
Nibshan is situated in the southern part of the land of Judah, within the wilderness region. This area is characterized by its arid and rugged terrain, which is part of the Judean Desert. The mention of Nibshan alongside the "City of Salt" and "En-gedi" suggests its location near the Dead Sea, a region known for its salt deposits and mineral-rich environment.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:
While Nibshan itself has not been definitively identified in modern archaeological terms, its inclusion in the list of cities in Joshua indicates its significance during the period of the Israelite settlement in Canaan. The cities mentioned alongside Nibshan, such as En-gedi, are well-known sites with historical and archaeological relevance, providing context for Nibshan's location and importance.

Theological Significance:
The allocation of Nibshan to the tribe of Judah reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites regarding the division of the Promised Land. Each city and region assigned to the tribes of Israel holds theological importance as part of the divine inheritance given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The mention of Nibshan, though brief, underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the detailed record of the land distribution.

Cultural and Symbolic Aspects:
The name "Nibshan" itself does not carry a specific meaning in the biblical text, but its association with the wilderness and proximity to the Dead Sea may symbolize the challenges and resilience of the people of Judah in inhabiting and cultivating the land. The wilderness often serves as a backdrop for testing and spiritual growth in biblical narratives, highlighting themes of faith and reliance on God's guidance.

Related Biblical Themes:
· Inheritance and Land Division: The allocation of cities like Nibshan to the tribes of Israel is a recurring theme in the Book of Joshua, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
· Wilderness Experience: The geographical setting of Nibshan in the wilderness aligns with the broader biblical motif of the wilderness as a place of trial, transformation, and divine encounter.
· Tribal Identity and Heritage: The mention of specific cities contributes to the understanding of tribal boundaries and identities within the nation of Israel, reinforcing the significance of land as a component of cultural and spiritual heritage.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Nibshan

prophecy; growing of a tooth

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nibshan

(soft soil) one of the six cities of Judah, (Joshua 15:62) which were in the district of the Midbar (Authorized Version "wilderness").

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fertile; light soil, a city somewhere "in the wilderness" of Judah (Joshua 15:62), probably near Engedi.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NIBSHAN

nib'-shan (ha-nibhshan; Codex Vaticanus Naphlazon; Codex Alexandrinus Nebsan): A city in the Judean wilderness named between Secacah and the City of Salt (Joshua 15:62). Eusebius, Onomasticon, knows the place but gives no clue to its identification. The site has not been recovered. Wellhausen suggests the emendation of nibhshan to kibhshan, "furnace" (Proleg. 2,344).

Strong's Hebrew
5044. Nibshan -- a place in S. Judah
... 5043, 5044. Nibshan. 5045 . a place in S. Judah. Transliteration: Nibshan
Phonetic Spelling: (nib-shawn') Short Definition: Nibshan. ...
/hebrew/5044.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Nibshan (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NIBSHAN. ...Nibshan (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:62 Nibshan,
the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities with their villages. ...
/n/nibshan.htm - 7k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)

/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Salt (45 Occurrences)
... (`ir ha-melach; Codex Alexandrinus hai pol(e)is halon): One of the six cities in
the wilderness of Judah mentioned between Nibshan and Engedi (Joshua 15:62). ...
/s/salt.htm - 34k

Nibhaz (1 Occurrence)

/n/nibhaz.htm - 7k

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)
... unwalled places. (BBE). Joshua 15:62 And Nibshan, and the Town of Salt, and
En-gedi; six towns with their unwalled places. (BBE). Joshua ...
/u/unwalled.htm - 17k

Gedi (6 Occurrences)
... Gedi (6 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi; six cities
with their villages. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/g/gedi.htm - 8k

Ir-hammelah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ir-hammelah (1 Occurrence). Joshua 15:62 and Nibshan,
and Ir-Hammelah, and En-gedi: six cities and their hamlets. (DBY). ...
/i/ir-hammelah.htm - 6k

En-gedi (6 Occurrences)
... En-gedi (6 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 and Nibshan, and the City of Salt, and
En-gedi; six cities with their villages. (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT). ...
/e/en-gedi.htm - 10k

En-ge'di (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance En-ge'di (5 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 and Nibshan, and
the City of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages. (See RSV). ...
/e/en-ge'di.htm - 7k

Engedi (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Engedi (6 Occurrences). Joshua 15:62 And Nibshan, and
the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages. (KJV NAS). ...
/e/engedi.htm - 11k

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