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Moladah

Locations
Modern Location Tell el-Kheleifeh (Elath) or a site near Beersheba, exact identification remains debated among archaeologists
Coordinates 30.6500, 34.7833

Geographical Setting

Moladah was an ancient settlement in the Negev region of Judah, allocated to the tribe of Simeon and later repopulated during the post-exilic period.

What is the meaning of Moladah in the Bible?

Moladah was a settlement in the southern territory of Judah, near the border with Edom, originally assigned to the tribe of Simeon. It is recorded in the Hebrew Bible as being repopulated by Judean exiles returning from Babylon and is consistently listed in proximity to Beersheba in territorial records.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identifying Moladah helps readers understand the specific territorial boundaries and tribal allocations described in the books of Joshua and Chronicles, as well as the demographic shifts in the Negev region following the Babylonian exile.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Moladah (located near modern Tell el-Kheleifeh (Elath) or a site near Beersheba, exact identification remains debated among archaeologists) 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 Moladah in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Moladah 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

"Moladah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/moladah/
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