The Plain of Tabor is a geographical region in the biblical land of Israel, closely associated with Mount Tabor. This area holds significant historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative, serving as a backdrop for various events and symbolizing divine encounters and military victories.

Geographical Context

The Plain of Tabor is located in the Lower Galilee region of modern-day Israel. It is situated near Mount Tabor, a prominent hill that rises approximately 1,843 feet above sea level. The plain itself is characterized by fertile land, making it suitable for agriculture and settlement. Its strategic location has historically made it a site of military significance.

Biblical Significance

1. Deborah and Barak's Victory: The Plain of Tabor is most notably associated with the account of Deborah and Barak in the Book of Judges. In Judges 4, Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, instructs Barak to gather an army at Mount Tabor to confront the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. Judges 4:14 states, "Then Deborah said to Barak, 'Arise, for this is the day the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?' So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him." The ensuing battle, which took place in the vicinity of the plain, resulted in a decisive victory for the Israelites, attributed to divine intervention.

2. Symbol of Divine Encounter: Mount Tabor, adjacent to the plain, is traditionally identified as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, although the New Testament does not explicitly name the mountain. This event, described in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36), is a pivotal moment where Jesus is revealed in His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. The association of Mount Tabor with this event enhances the spiritual significance of the surrounding plain.

3. Tribal Boundaries: The Plain of Tabor is also mentioned in the context of tribal boundaries. In Joshua 19:22 , the territory of the tribe of Issachar is described as extending to Tabor: "The border touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and ended at the Jordan—sixteen cities, along with their villages." This highlights the plain's role in the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel.

Historical and Theological Insights

The Plain of Tabor serves as a testament to God's deliverance and faithfulness to His people. The victory of Deborah and Barak over Sisera's forces is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to use unlikely leaders to achieve His purposes. The association with the Transfiguration further underscores the plain's connection to divine revelation and the manifestation of God's glory.

Throughout biblical history, the Plain of Tabor has been a place where the physical and spiritual realms intersect, offering a glimpse into the divine plan and purpose for Israel. Its rich history and theological depth continue to inspire and instruct believers in understanding God's work in the world.the Plain Of Tabor

This is an incorrect translation, and should be THE OAK OF TABOR, TABOR. It is mentioned in (1 Samuel 10:3) only, as one of the points in the homeward journey of Saul after his anointing by Samuel.

The Transfiguration
... honored. Mount Tabor, near Nazareth, on the borders of the Plain of Esdraelon,
has long been regarded as the favored spot. But, in ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the transfiguration.htm

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ...
... 2632] From the elevation on which the city stood we look northwards, across the
wide plain, to wooded Tabor, and in the far distance to snow-capped Hermon. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx the raising of.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... by that line of commerce that passed along the route winding around Tabor. ... the south;
and beyond, the seemingly unbounded expanse of the wide plain of Esdraelon ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Siege and Taking of Gamala.
... by, during this siege, and that was to subdue those that had seized upon Mount Tabor,
a place that lies in the middle between the great plain and Scythopolis ...
/.../chapter 1 the siege and.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... and west over a large plain (that of Battauf), and south upon a valley, beyond which
the hills rise that separate it from Mount Tabor and the plain of Jezreel. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

The King in his Beauty
... 13. The early guess at Tabor as the scene of the Transfiguration must be given
up as untenable. ... die? No, for that lay plain before Him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the king in his beauty.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... the mountains of Gilboa," where "Israel and Saul fell down slain"; little Hermon,
Tabor, Carmel, and that great battle-field of Palestine, the plain of Jezreel ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

Philip and the Desposyni
... desired to call down fire from heaven; and so into the great plain of Jezreel. ... Thence,
with Tabor in sight, and snowy Hermon, be crossed one of the streams of ...
/.../chapter lxiv philip and the.htm

Infancy and Youth of Jesus --His First Impressions.
... at the summit of the group of mountains which close the plain of Esdraelon ... the graceful
or terrible recollections of Shunem and of Endor; and Tabor, with its ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter ii infancy and youth.htm

The Transfiguration.
... mountain itself, stretching away for seventy miles across the plain - the most ... left
C??sarea Philippi, and the scene of the Transfiguration was Mount Tabor. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the transfiguration.htm

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