Maralah
Maralah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tell Thorah. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Maralah appears in Scripture solely within the boundary description of the tribal allotment of Zebulun during Joshua's distribution of the Promised Land (Joshua 19:10-11). It is listed as a point along Zebulun's western border, situated between Sarid and Dabbesheth. Though mentioned only once, Maralah's inclusion in this boundary list reflects the careful and divinely ordained apportioning of Canaan among the twelve tribes following the conquest. Zebulun's territory occupied a strategic position in the lower Galilee region, and border towns like Maralah helped define the precise limits of each tribe's inheritance. Jacob's blessing had prophesied that Zebulun would dwell by the seashore and become a haven for ships (Genesis 49:13), and Maralah's location along the western boundary points toward the coastal plain. The town's role in Scripture, though brief, testifies to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to give each tribe its designated portion of the land.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Maralah is tentatively identified with Tell Thorah (also known as Tell Ghalta), located in the Jezreel Valley region of lower Galilee in northern Israel. The site sits at approximately 32.65 degrees north latitude and 35.17 degrees east longitude. Limited archaeological investigation has been conducted at the proposed location, and the identification remains uncertain among scholars. Some researchers have suggested alternative sites along Zebulun's western border. The broader region of the Jezreel Valley has yielded extensive archaeological evidence of continuous habitation from the Bronze Age through later periods, consistent with the settlement patterns described in the book of Joshua.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →