Jokneam
Jokneam is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tel Yokneam. It appears across 4 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Jokneam first appears in Joshua 12:22, listed among the thirty-one Canaanite kings defeated by Joshua during the conquest of the Promised Land. The king of Jokneam in Carmel was conquered as Israel swept through the northern territories. The city reappears in Joshua 19:11, where it marks a boundary point for the tribal allotment of Zebulun, and in Joshua 21:34, where it is designated as a Levitical city given to the Merarite clan from the tribe of Zebulun. This triple mention reveals Jokneam's significance: it was a Canaanite stronghold that became part of Israel's inheritance, served as a tribal boundary marker, and was set apart for the Levites' sacred ministry. Positioned at the strategic junction where the Carmel ridge meets the Jezreel Valley, Jokneam controlled important north-south and east-west routes. Its transformation from a defeated Canaanite royal city to a Levitical city dedicated to God's service illustrates the broader biblical theme of redemption, as the land once held by pagan rulers was consecrated to the worship and service of the Lord.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Jokneam is identified with Tel Yokneam (Tell Qaimun), a large tell at the northwestern edge of the Jezreel Valley where the Carmel range descends to the plain. Excavations by Amnon Ben-Tor of the Hebrew University between 1977 and 1988 uncovered over twenty occupation levels spanning from the Early Bronze Age to the Crusader period. Notable finds include Late Bronze Age destruction layers consistent with the Joshua conquest narrative, Iron Age I settlement remains, and Solomonic-period fortifications. An Egyptian scarab of Thutmose III and imported Cypriot pottery attest to the city's international trade connections. The Crusader-period church of St. Mary remains partially visible. The site offers panoramic views of the Jezreel Valley, confirming its strategic military importance throughout antiquity.
Verse Appearances (4)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →