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Jarmuth

Locations
Modern Location Tel Jarmuk
Coordinates 31.8167° N, 35.1333° E

Geographical Setting

Jarmuth was an ancient Canaanite city-state located in the Shephelah region of Judah, identified with the archaeological site of Tel Jarmuk.

What is the meaning of Jarmuth in the Bible?

Jarmuth was a Canaanite city in the Shephelah of Judah, identified with Tel Jarmuk, whose ruler participated in a coalition against the Israelite forces led by Joshua and was subsequently defeated. The site is also listed in biblical texts as a Levitical city within the territory of Issachar.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Jarmuth's location and history provides geographical context for the military campaigns described in the Book of Joshua, illustrating the political landscape of Canaanite city-states during the Late Bronze Age transition.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Jarmuth (located near modern Tel Jarmuk) 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 Jarmuth in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Jarmuth 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

"Jarmuth." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jarmuth/
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