אֶלְתְּקֵא
Eltekeh or Elteke, a place in Palestine
Definition
Eltekeh is a proper noun referring to a town in the territory of the tribe of Dan, as recorded in the book of Joshua. It is listed among the cities given to the Danites as an inheritance (Joshua 19:44) and was later designated as one of the Levitical cities given to the Kohathite clan (Joshua 21:23). The name appears only in these two contexts, both detailing the geographical allotment of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. Its precise location remains uncertain, but it is understood to have been situated within the tribal allotment of Dan, near the coastal plain.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Eltekeh' is used exclusively in the book of Joshua, specifically in chapters 19 and 21, which document the division of Canaan. In Joshua 19:44, it appears in a list of cities allotted to the tribe of Dan. In Joshua 21:23, it is listed again as one of the cities given from the tribe of Dan to the Levites, specifically to the Kohathites. There are no other occurrences, and its usage is strictly geographical, identifying a specific location within the tribal territories.
Etymology
The etymology of אֶלְתְּקֵא (ʼEltᵉqêʼ) is uncertain. The form may also be אֶלְתְּקֵה (Eltekeh), but its derivation and meaning are not clearly known from Hebrew roots. It is a place name, and such names often preserve ancient linguistic elements or reflect geographical features lost to modern understanding. The prefix 'El' could potentially relate to the Canaanite deity or mean 'god,' but this is speculative for this particular name.
Semantic Range
As a geographical place name with minimal narrative context, Eltekeh does not carry direct theological significance. Its importance lies in its role within the historical and covenantal framework of the book of Joshua. Its mention underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the tribes of Israel and the provision for the Levites, who received cities rather than a territorial inheritance (Joshua 21). It serves as a concrete marker of God's faithfulness in apportioning the Promised Land.
As a town name in ancient Israel, Eltekeh represents a specific location within the tribal and clan-based social structure. Its assignment first to Dan and then as a Levitical city reflects the practical and religious organization of Israelite society after the conquest. Levitical cities were scattered throughout the tribes to provide homes for the priestly class and centers for instruction in the Law. The uncertainty of its exact location today is typical for many minor biblical sites, highlighting the historical distance between the biblical world and modern archaeology.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. Geographically related terms would be other Levitical city names, such as: גִּבְתּוֹן (Gibthon, H1405) — another Levitical city from Dan (Joshua 21:23); אַיָּלוֹן (Aijalon, H357) — a nearby city also allotted to Dan (Joshua 19:42).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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