eshtemoa Summary and Overview

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).

ESHTEMO'A (obedience), a descendant of Judah. 1 Chr 4:19.

Eshtemoh (Joshua 15:50). Allotted with its suburbs to the priests (Joshua 21:14; 1 Chronicles 6:57; compare 1 Chronicles 4:17). Frequented by David during his wanderings. Accordingly, to his friends there he sent presents of the Amalekite spoil (1 Samuel 30:28; 1 Samuel 30:31). Now Semu'a, seven miles S. of Hebron. Eshtemoa was son of Ishbah; Mered was husband of Jehudijah (the Jewess), by whose descendants, Gedor, Socho, and Zanoah, near Eshtemoa, were founded. The town Eshtemoa was founded by the descendants of Bithiah, Pharaoh's daughter, the Egyptian wife of Mered. (See BITHIAH.) A large stone (Hajr-el-Sakhain) stands on the N. road to the village Semu'a at a distance of 3,000 cubits, the Levitical extent of suburbs and the boundary of the village possessions to this day (Israel Exploration). How the Holy Land confirms the Holy Book!