Lebaoth
Lebaoth is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Negev in modern-day Israel. Known today as Jebel el Biri. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Lebaoth appears in Joshua 15:32, listed among the cities in the southernmost district of Judah's tribal inheritance in the Negev region. The name means 'lionesses,' suggesting the area may once have been known for its lion population. Lebaoth is likely the same city called Beth-lebaoth ('house of lionesses') in Joshua 19:6, where it is reassigned to the tribe of Simeon, whose territory was carved from within Judah's allotment as prophesied by Jacob (Genesis 49:7). It may also correspond to Beth-biri in 1 Chronicles 4:31. The reassignment of cities from Judah to Simeon reflects the unique arrangement whereby Simeon's inheritance was embedded within the larger tribe's territory. Lebaoth's inclusion in these territorial lists demonstrates the meticulous care with which the land was distributed under Joshua's leadership, fulfilling God's covenant promise. Located in the arid Negev, the city represented the frontier of Israelite settlement, part of the buffer zone between the settled agricultural lands of Judah and the wilderness to the south inhabited by nomadic peoples.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Lebaoth has been tentatively identified with Jebel el-Biri, a site in the northern Negev region of modern Israel. The identification draws on both geographical considerations, placing it within the southern district of Judah, and possible name preservation in the Arabic toponym. The Negev region has been extensively surveyed by Israeli archaeologists, revealing a dense pattern of Iron Age settlements that expanded significantly during the period of the united and divided monarchies. Surface pottery at the proposed site is consistent with Iron Age habitation. The harsh desert environment of the northern Negev required sophisticated water management, and many sites in the region feature cisterns and terraced agriculture. No major excavation has been conducted specifically at the proposed site of Lebaoth.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →