Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Shaalbim" is believed to derive from the Hebrew root "sha'al," meaning "fox" or "jackal," suggesting a place associated with these animals. The name could imply "place of foxes" or "place of jackals."

Biblical References:
Shaalbim is mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua and in the accounts of the judges and kings of Israel. It is referenced in the following passages:

1. Joshua 19:42 · Shaalbim is listed among the towns in the territory allotted to the tribe of Dan: "Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah."
2. Judges 1:35 · The Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill country, and Shaalbim is mentioned as one of the places where the Amorites persisted: "The Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim; yet when the power of the house of Joseph increased, they were put to forced labor."
3. 1 Kings 4:9 · During the reign of Solomon, Shaalbim is included in the administrative district overseen by Ben-Deker: "Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Shaalbim was located in the Shephelah, the lowland region of ancient Israel, which was part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan. However, due to the Danites' struggles with the Amorites, the area was not fully secured until later. The strategic location of Shaalbim in the Shephelah made it significant in the ongoing conflicts between the Israelites and the Canaanite inhabitants.

Cultural and Theological Significance:
Shaalbim's mention in the context of the Amorite resistance highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully possessing the Promised Land. The persistence of the Amorites in Shaalbim and surrounding areas serves as a reminder of the incomplete conquest and the Israelites' need for reliance on God's strength to overcome their adversaries.

In the time of Solomon, Shaalbim's inclusion in an administrative district reflects the organized governance and prosperity of Israel under Solomon's rule. This period is often seen as a high point in Israel's history, marked by peace and prosperity, which allowed for the development and administration of various regions, including Shaalbim.

Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of Shaalbim is not definitively identified, it is generally associated with the region of the Shephelah. Archaeological efforts in this area continue to provide insights into the settlement patterns and cultural interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors during the biblical period.

Conclusion:
Shaalbim, though not frequently mentioned in the biblical narrative, plays a role in illustrating the broader themes of Israel's settlement in Canaan, the challenges of securing the land, and the administrative organization during the united monarchy. Its account is interwoven with the history of the tribe of Dan and the broader narrative of Israel's struggle and eventual establishment in the Promised Land.Shaalbim

that beholds the heart

Shaalbim

A town of God, long held by the Amorites, Joshua 19:42; Jude 1:35, but in the time of Solomon the headquarters of one of his commissaries, 1 Kings 4:9.

SHAALBIM

sha-al'-bim (sha`albim; Codex Vaticanus Bethalamei; Codex Alexandrinus Salabeim, in Joshua, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Thalabeim): When the Amorites had forced the children of Dan into the mountain they came and dwelt in Mt. Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim, where, it appears, they were made tributary to the house of Joseph (Judges 1:35). In the time of Solomon it was included in the administrative district presided over by Ben-deker, along with Makaz, Beth-shemesh and Elon-beth-hanan (1 Kings 4:9). Beth-shemesh is the same as Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:42). Shaalbim is probably only another name of Shaalabbin. One of David's mighty men is called Eliahba the Shaalbonite. This presumes the existence of a town called Shaalbon (2 Samuel 23:32 1 Chronicles 11:33), which again is probably identical with Shaalbim. Eusebius (in Onomasticon) identifies it with Salaba, a large village in the district of Sebaste (Samaria), which apparently Eusebius and Jerome thought to be in the territory of Dan. It seems, however, too far to the North. Jerome in his commentary on Ezekiel 48 speaks of the towers of Aijalon and Selebi and Emmaus. Conder would identify Selebi with Selbit, 3 miles Northwest of Aijalon (Yalo), and 8 miles North of Bethshemesh. This would suit for Shaalbim, as far as position is concerned; but it is difficult to account for the heavy "T" (Hebrew letter Tet) in the name, if derived from Shaalbim.

W. Ewing

8169. Shaalbim -- perhaps "(haunt of) foxes," a city in Dan
... Shaalbim. 8170 . perhaps "(haunt of) foxes," a city in Dan. Transliteration: Shaalbim
Phonetic Spelling: (shah-al-beem') Short Definition: Shaalbim. ...
/hebrew/8169.htm - 6k

8170. Shaalboni -- perhaps an inhabitant of Shaalbim
... 8169, 8170. Shaalboni. 8171 . perhaps an inhabitant of Shaalbim. Transliteration:
Shaalboni Phonetic Spelling: (shah-al-bo-nee') Short Definition: Shaalbonite ...
/hebrew/8170.htm - 6k

Shaalbim (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHAALBIM. ... Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim, where, it
appears, they were made tributary to the house of Joseph (Judges 1:35). ...
/s/shaalbim.htm - 8k

Elon (8 Occurrences)
... It is possibly identical with Elon-beth-Hanan which, along with Shaalbim and
Bethshemesh, formed one of Solomon's commissariat districts (1 Kings 4:9). Conder ...
/e/elon.htm - 10k

Makaz (1 Occurrence)
... One of the cities of the 2nd of the 12 districts or prefectures which supplied victuals
for Solomon (1 Kings 4:9). It is associated with Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh ...
/m/makaz.htm - 7k

Sha-al'bim (2 Occurrences)
Sha-al'bim. Shaalbim, Sha-al'bim. Sha-al'bon . ... 1 Kings 4:9 the son of Deker,
in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan; (See RSV). ...
/s/sha-al'bim.htm - 6k

Taskwork (14 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Judges 1:35 but the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres, in Aijalon, and
in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became ...
/t/taskwork.htm - 10k

Tributary (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:35 but the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim:
yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became ...
/t/tributary.htm - 10k

Tributaries (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim:
yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became ...
/t/tributaries.htm - 7k

Resolved (15 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:35 but the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim:
yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became ...
/r/resolved.htm - 11k

Elon-beth-hanan (1 Occurrence)
... Elon-beth-hanan (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:9 Ben-deker, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim,
and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan; (ASV DBY JPS WBS YLT). ...
/e/elon-beth-hanan.htm - 7k

Elonbeth-hanan (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Elonbeth-hanan (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:9 ... the son
of Deker in Makaz and Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan; (BBE NAS). ...
/e/elonbeth-hanan.htm - 7k

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