Eshtemoa
City
Obedience, a town in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 21:14; 1 Chr. 6:57), which was allotted, with the land round it, to the priests. It was frequented by David and his followers during their wanderings; and he sent presents of the spoil of the Amalekites to his friends there (1 Sam. 30:28). It is identified with es-Semu’a, a village about 3 1/2 miles east of Socoh, and 7 or 8 miles south of Hebron, around which there are ancient remains of the ruined city. It is the centre of the “south country” or Negeb. It is also called “Eshtemoh” (Josh. 15:50).
Named in 3 verses
- Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its pasture lands, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands,
- 1 Samuel 30:28 to those who were in Aroer, to those who were in Siphmoth, to those who were in Eshtemoa,
- 1 Chronicles 6:57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron, Libnah also with its pasture lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands,