Kishon
LocationsGeographical Setting
The Kishon is a seasonal river in northern Israel that drains the Jezreel Valley into the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the meaning of Kishon in the Bible?
The Kishon is a seasonal river in northern Israel that drains the Jezreel Valley into the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa. It collects runoff from the western slopes of the Gilboa mountains and springs in the Jenin area. The riverbed is frequently dry but can become a torrent during the rainy season.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Kishon's geography clarifies the tactical situation in Judges 4-5, where the sudden flooding of the riverbed hindered Sisera's chariot forces, and explains the topography of Elijah's confrontation on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18, which overlooks the valley drained by this stream.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Kishon in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Kishon clarify?
Related Topics
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.