Abel-Shittim
LocationsGeographical Setting
Abel-Shittim was a significant encampment site for the Israelites on the eastern side of the Jordan River, directly opposite Jericho, serving as a strategic base before the conquest of Canaan.
What is the meaning of Abel-Shittim in the Bible?
Abel-Shittim denotes a geographical site in the Jordan Valley where the Israelite community established a prolonged encampment prior to their entry into the Promised Land, situated in the plains of Moab opposite Jericho.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Abel-Shittim provides context for the final preparations of the Israelite tribes, including the census and the distribution of land promises, which are critical for interpreting the transition from wilderness wandering to settled conquest in the Book of Numbers and Joshua.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Abel-Shittim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Abel-Shittim clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.