Topical Bible: Jarmuth: A City in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah

◄ Jarmuth: A City in the Territory of the Tribe of Judah ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Biblical References:
Jarmuth is mentioned in several passages within the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the territorial allotments and historical narratives of the Israelites. It is first introduced in the Book of Joshua as one of the cities in the southern region of the Promised Land, allocated to the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:35 lists Jarmuth among the cities in the Shephelah, or the lowland region: "Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah."

Historical Context:
Jarmuth was a significant Canaanite city-state during the period of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It is notably mentioned in the account of the southern campaign led by Joshua. The king of Jarmuth, Piram, was one of the five Amorite kings who formed a coalition against Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel. This coalition is described in Joshua 10:3-5: "So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 'Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.'"

Military Significance:
The coalition of the five Amorite kings, including the king of Jarmuth, was decisively defeated by Joshua and the Israelites in a miraculous battle where the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12-14). This victory was pivotal in the Israelite conquest of the southern part of Canaan. The defeat of these kings, including the king of Jarmuth, is recorded in Joshua 10:23, where they were captured and executed.

Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of ancient Jarmuth is debated, it is generally identified with the archaeological site of Khirbet Yarmuk, near modern-day Yarmuk in Israel. Excavations have revealed remains from various periods, including the Canaanite and Israelite eras, providing insights into the city's historical and cultural significance.

Role in Judah's Territory:
As part of the tribal inheritance of Judah, Jarmuth played a role in the administrative and military organization of the region. The city was strategically located in the Shephelah, serving as a buffer zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands. This location made it an important site for trade and defense.

Later References:
Jarmuth is also mentioned in the post-exilic period in Nehemiah 11:29, where it is listed among the towns where the people of Judah resettled after returning from Babylonian exile: "Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; and in Azekah and its villages. So they settled from Beersheba all the way to the Valley of Hinnom."

Theological Significance:
Jarmuth's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs regarding the land of Canaan. The city's history reflects the broader themes of divine intervention, judgment, and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. The defeat of Jarmuth's king as part of the Amorite coalition highlights the sovereignty of God in delivering His people and establishing them in the land He had promised to their ancestors.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 10:3,5,23
Why Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent to Hoham king of Hebron, and to Piram king of Jarmuth, and to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,
Nave's Topical Index