Arumah
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient settlement in the hill country of Ephraim associated with the biblical figure Abimelech.
What is the meaning of Arumah in the Bible?
The town where Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal (Gideon), resided after being expelled from Shechem. The site is identified with the ruins at El-Ormeh, located approximately 6 miles southeast of Shechem.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Arumah clarifies the geographical context of Abimelech's power base and his subsequent military campaigns against Shechem, illustrating the political fragmentation within Gideon's family.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Arumah (located near modern El-Ormeh, West Bank) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Arumah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Arumah clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Arumah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/arumah/