אֶשְׁכֹּל
Eshcol, the name of an Amorite, also of a valley in Palestine
Definition
Eshcol is a proper noun in the Old Testament with two primary referents. First, it is the name of an Amorite man, 'Eshcol,' who was the brother of Mamre and Aner and an ally of Abram (Genesis 14:13, 24). Second, and more prominently, it is the name of a valley or wadi near Hebron, noted for its extraordinary fruitfulness. The Valley of Eshcol is famous as the place from which the Israelite spies brought back a massive cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs as evidence of the land's bounty (Numbers 13:23-24). This location later became a symbol in the narrative of Israel's failure to enter the Promised Land from Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 32:9, Deuteronomy 1:24).
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively in historical narrative contexts, appearing six times across Genesis, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In Genesis, it refers only to the person Eshcol (Genesis 14:13, 24). In Numbers and Deuteronomy, it refers exclusively to the valley, first in the spy narrative (Numbers 13:23-24) and then as a geographical reference point in retrospective speeches about Israel's rebellion (Numbers 32:9, Deuteronomy 1:24).
Etymology
The name אֶשְׁכֹּל (ʼEshkôl) is identical to the common noun אֶשְׁכּוֹל (ʼeshkôl, H811), meaning 'cluster,' specifically a cluster of grapes or other fruit. The place and person are therefore named for this concept, with the valley likely being so called because of its prolific vineyards.
Semantic Range
The Valley of Eshcol holds significant theological weight as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His promise of a good land. The giant cluster of grapes was divine evidence meant to bolster Israel's faith. However, its legacy is dual: it represents both God's abundant provision and Israel's failure to trust in that provision, choosing fear over faith. Understanding 'Eshcol' as 'cluster' enriches the reading, making the spies' report a powerful, visual object lesson in blessing and consequence.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names were often descriptive and carried meaning. Naming a valley 'Cluster' immediately communicated its primary agricultural characteristic and economic value—it was renowned for its vineyards. The report of the spies, carrying a single cluster of grapes on a pole between two men (Numbers 13:23), would have been a culturally recognizable and dramatic demonstration of the land's exceptional fertility, far exceeding normal yields.
None directly as a proper noun. Its root is the common noun: אֶשְׁכּוֹל (ʼeshkôl, H811) — meaning 'cluster' (of grapes).
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.
Full methodology & sources →