תַּרְאֲלָה

Taralah, a place in Palestine

Definition

Taralah is a proper noun referring to a town or settlement in the territory of Benjamin, as listed in Joshua 18:27. It is one of the fourteen cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin following the conquest of Canaan. The precise location of Taralah remains uncertain to modern archaeology, but its inclusion in a detailed border list confirms it was a recognized place in ancient Israel's tribal geography. The name itself likely carries a descriptive meaning related to 'reeling' or 'staggering,' possibly referring to the terrain or a historical event associated with the site.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 18:27. It appears within a formal inventory of cities given to the tribe of Benjamin, following the casting of lots at Shiloh. The usage is purely geographical and administrative, serving to document the tribal inheritance as commanded by God through Joshua.

Etymology

The name תַּרְאֲלָה (Tarʼălâh) is probably a variant or a scribal alteration of תַּרְעֵלָה (tarʿēlâh, H8653), which means 'a reeling,' 'staggering,' or 'overthrow.' This root suggests the name may have originally described an unstable or difficult piece of land, or perhaps commemorated a event where people were made to stagger. It is derived from the verb רָעַל (rāʿal), meaning 'to quiver' or 'reel.'

Semantic Range

While Taralah itself is not the focus of theological narrative, its mention contributes to the important biblical theme of God's faithfulness in fulfilling the land promise to the tribes of Israel. The precise listing of cities like Taralah in Joshua 18 underscores the orderly and deliberate nature of God's distribution of the inheritance, highlighting His attention to detail in keeping His covenant. Understanding its name's potential meaning ('reeling') might also subtly remind readers of the upheaval and displacement of Canaan's inhabitants as part of God's judgment.

In its original context, Taralah was a tangible piece of the promised land, representing home, identity, and economic sustenance for a Benjaminite family or clan. For modern readers, it is an obscure place name, but for an ancient Israelite, it was a real location with boundaries, fields, and a community. The practice of listing such towns in official records was vital for establishing legal claims to property and tribal territories within the newly formed nation.

No direct synonyms exist as it is a unique proper noun. Related are other Benjaminite city names from the same list, such as Gibeon (H1391), Mizpah (H4708), and Jericho (H3405).

Word Details

Scripture References