Atomic Bible

Levitical city in Judah; received spoils from David's victory

Eshtemoa

Named in 6 verses across 3 books, first in Joshua 15:50.

אֶשְׁתְּמוֹעַEshtemoa

אֶשְׁתְּמֹהEshtemoh

Also called Eshtemoh.

The name means “the bosom of a woman.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Eshtemoa Written by AI

Eshtemoa, also known as Eshtemoh, was a city located in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:50). It was allotted to the Levites, specifically to the descendants of Aaron, as one of their cities (Joshua 21:14; 1Ch.6.57). Several individuals are associated with Eshtemoa in the genealogies of Judah. In 1Ch.4.17, Ishbah is mentioned as the father of Eshtemoa. Later, in 1Ch.4.19, the sons of Ezrah are listed, including Eshtemoa. During the time of David, when he was hiding from King Saul in the wilderness of Judah, David sent some of the spoils from his victory over the Amalekites to the elders of Eshtemoa, among other cities (1Sa.30.28). This act of sharing the spoils was likely a gesture of goodwill and a way to strengthen alliances with the cities that had supported him. The exact location of Eshtemoa is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the southern part of the hill country of Judah, possibly near the modern-day village of es-Semu'a, about 15 kilometers south of Hebron. As a Levitical city, Eshtemoa would have played a role in the religious life of the surrounding region, with the Levites serving as teachers, judges, and spiritual leaders.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

Obedience, a town in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 21:14; 1 Chr. 6:57), which was allotted, with the land round it, to the priests. It was frequented by David and his followers during their wanderings; and he sent presents of the spoil of the Amalekites to his friends there (1 Sam. 30:28). It is identified with es-Semu’a, a village about 3 1/2 miles east of Socoh, and 7 or 8 miles south of Hebron, around which there are ancient remains of the ruined city. It is the centre of the “south country” or Negeb. It is also called “Eshtemoh” (Josh. 15:50).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

31.374, 35.075 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Joshua 15:50

    Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,

  2. Joshua 21:14

    Jattir, Eshtemoa,

  3. 1 Samuel 30:28

    to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa;

  4. 1 Chronicles 4:17

    The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

  5. 1 Chronicles 4:19

    The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

  6. 1 Chronicles 6:57

    So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.