Eshtemoa
“Obedience, hearing”
Summary
Eshtemoa (also called Eshtemoh) was a Levitical city in the hill country of Judah, assigned to the priests descended from Aaron. It was one of the places David frequented during his years as a fugitive from Saul, and received a share of the Amalekite spoil after David's rescue of Ziklag.
☩Location and Status
Eshtemoa was located in the hill country of Judah (Josh 15:50, where it is called Eshtemoh). It was assigned with its suburbs to the priests, the sons of Aaron (Josh 21:14; 1 Chron 6:57). The site is identified with modern es-Semu'a, a considerable village of evident antiquity approximately seven to eight miles south of Hebron. The name likely means 'obedience' or 'hearing.'
☩David's Connection
During the long period of David's wanderings while fleeing from Saul, Eshtemoa was among the places he and his followers frequented. When David returned from defeating the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag, he sent presents from the recovered spoil 'to them which were in Eshtemoa' (1 Sam 30:28). These gifts went to his 'friends' and 'the elders of Judah'—people who had provided him refuge and support during his years as a fugitive.
☩Genealogical Connection
First Chronicles 4:17, 19 mentions Eshtemoa as a Maacathite and 'son' of Ishbah. This likely refers to the founder or leading citizen of the town rather than a personal name. Mered's descendants—through both his Jewish wife Jehudijah and his Egyptian wife Bithiah (Pharaoh's daughter)—are connected to various towns in this region, including Eshtemoa.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Eshtemoa," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Eshtemoa," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Eshtemoa," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).