Ibleam
“Devouring the people”
Summary
A Canaanite city assigned to the tribe of Manasseh, located near the pass of Gur where Jehu slew King Ahaziah.
☩Location and Territory
Ibleam was a city with suburban towns within the natural precincts of Issachar, but assigned to Manasseh along with five other cities. It lay near the pass of Gur, in the vicinity of Megiddo. The city occupied a strategic position on the route between the northern and southern regions of Canaan. It was assigned as a Levitical city to the family of Kohath.
☩Unconquered Territory
The Israelites were unable to expel the Canaanites from Ibleam, and the original inhabitants continued to dwell there. This failure to complete the conquest was characteristic of several cities in Manasseh's territory. The persistence of Canaanite populations would prove troublesome to Israel in subsequent generations.
☩Ahaziah's Death
The city is notable as the location where Jehu pursued and mortally wounded King Ahaziah of Judah at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. This event occurred during Jehu's bloody purge of the house of Ahab. The site is now represented by the ruin of Bel'ameh, about half a mile from Jenin.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ibleam," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ibleam," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).