Salcah, also spelled Salchah, is a biblical city mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribes of Israel. It is located in the region of Bashan, which is east of the Jordan River. Salcah is noted for its strategic and geographical significance during the biblical period.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 3:10 : "We captured all the cities on the plateau, and all Gilead, and all Bashan as far as Salcah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan." This verse highlights Salcah as part of the territory conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses. It was part of the kingdom of Og, a notable Amorite king whose defeat marked a significant victory for the Israelites.

2. Joshua 12:5 : "He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salcah, all Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half of Gilead as far as the border of Sihon king of Heshbon." This passage lists Salcah among the territories ruled by Og, emphasizing its inclusion in the lands taken by the Israelites.

3. Joshua 13:11 : "Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salcah." Here, Salcah is again mentioned as part of the inheritance given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, indicating its importance in the division of the Promised Land.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Salcah was situated on the eastern frontier of Bashan, a fertile and strategically important area known for its rich pastures and strong cities. The city served as a boundary marker for the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh, which settled in the region after the conquest of Canaan. The location of Salcah, near the edge of the desert, made it a critical point of defense against eastern invaders.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, the conquest of Salcah and the surrounding regions symbolizes God's faithfulness in delivering the Promised Land to the descendants of Abraham. The defeat of powerful kings like Og of Bashan demonstrated the might of the God of Israel and His commitment to His covenant people. Salcah's inclusion in the tribal allotments underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Israel's territorial inheritance.

Archaeological Insights:

While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Salcah is limited, the region of Bashan has yielded numerous findings that provide insight into the ancient cultures that inhabited the area. The strategic location of Salcah suggests it was a fortified city, likely serving as a military outpost or administrative center during its time.

In summary, Salcah is a city of historical and theological importance within the biblical narrative, representing both a physical and spiritual victory for the Israelites as they settled in the land promised to their forefathers.Salcah

thy basket; thy lifting up

Wandering, a city of Bashan assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:10; Joshua 12:5; 13:11), identified with Salkhad, about 56 miles east of Jordan. SALECAH; SALCAH, SALCHAH

sal'-e-ka, sal'-ka (calekhah; Codex Vaticanus Sekchai, Acha, Sela Codex Alexandrinus Elcha, Aselcha, Selcha): This place first appears in Deuteronomy 3:10 as marking the eastern boundary of Bashan. It is named as one of the cities in which Og, king of Bashan, ruled (Joshua 12:5). It must certainly have been included in the portion given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, "all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan," although it is not named among the cities that fell to him (Joshua 13:29). At a later time we are told that Gad dwelt over against the Reubenites in the land of Bashan unto Salecah (1 Chronicles 5:11). The boundaries of the tribes probably changed from time to time.

The ancient city is represented by the modern Qalkhad, a city in a high and strong position at the southern end of Jebel ed-Druze (the Mountain of Bashan). On a volcanic hill rising some 300 ft. above the town, in what must have been the crater, stands the castle. The view from the battlements, as the present writer can testify, is one of the finest East of the Jordan, including the rich hollow of the Chauran, Mt. Hermon, and all the intervening country to the mountains of Samaria, with vast reaches of the desert to the South and to the East. The old Roman roads are still clearly seen running without curve or deviation across the country to Bozrah and Der'ah, away to the Southeast over the desert to Kal`at el-`Azraq, and eastward to the Persian Gulf. The castle was probably built by the Romans. Restored by the Arabs, it was a place of strength in Crusading times. It has now fallen on evil days. The modern town, containing many ancient houses, lies mainly on the slopes Southeast of the castle. The inhabitants are Druzes, somewhat noted for turbulence.

In the recent rising of the Druzes (1911) the place suffered heavily from bombardment by the Turks. For water-supply it is entirely dependent on cisterns filled during the rainy season. W. Ewing

5548. Salkah -- a city on the E. border of Bashan
... Salcah, Salchah. From an unused root. Meaning to walk; walking; Salcah, a place
East of the Jordan -- Salcah, Salchah. 5547, 5548. Salkah. 5549 . ...
/hebrew/5548.htm - 6k

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... As of old, it still stretches north and south "from Dan to Beersheba"; in the east
and west from Salcah (the modern Sulkhad) to "the great sea," the ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Salcah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SALECAH; SALCAH, SALCHAH. sal ... W. Ewing.
Multi-Version Concordance Salcah (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy ...
/s/salcah.htm - 10k

Sal'ecah (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:10 all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto
Salcah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.-- (See RSV). ...
/s/sal'ecah.htm - 7k

Salchah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SALECAH; SALCAH, SALCHAH. sal'-e-ka,
sal'-ka (calekhah; Codex Vaticanus Sekchai, Acha, Sela Codex ...
/s/salchah.htm - 8k

Gesh'urites (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, even unto the ...
/g/gesh'urites.htm - 8k

Maachathites (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto
the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border ...
/m/maachathites.htm - 7k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 and ruled in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the
border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, even unto the ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Maachathite (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto
the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border ...
/m/maachathite.htm - 8k

Bashan (54 Occurrences)
... Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-7). This country extended from Gilead in the south
to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan on the west to Salcah on the ...
/b/bashan.htm - 32k

Salathiel (3 Occurrences)

/s/salathiel.htm - 8k

Salecah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SALECAH; SALCAH, SALCHAH. sal'-e-ka,
sal'-ka (calekhah; Codex Vaticanus Sekchai, Acha, Sela Codex ...
/s/salecah.htm - 9k

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