Nahaliel
Nahaliel is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Wadi Zerqa Main. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Nahaliel appears in the itinerary of Israel's wilderness journey as recorded in Numbers 21:19, where the Israelites traveled from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth. The name means "torrent of God" or "valley of God" in Hebrew, suggesting a wadi with seasonal water flow that would have been a welcome provision during the arduous trek through the Transjordanian wilderness. This stopping point came during the final stages of Israel's forty-year wandering, as the nation approached the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. The context of Numbers 21 places Nahaliel within a sequence of encampments following Israel's victory song at Beer, where God miraculously provided water from a well. The mention of Nahaliel in this travel narrative underscores God's faithful guidance of His people through desolate terrain, providing places of refreshment along their route. Each named station in this itinerary served as a testimony to divine provision and the progressive fulfillment of God's promise to bring Israel into Canaan.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Nahaliel is generally identified with Wadi Zerqa Main (also known as Wadi ez-Zarqa Ma'in), a deep canyon that cuts through the Transjordanian plateau east of the Dead Sea in modern Jordan. The wadi features hot springs and seasonal water flow, making it a natural stopping point for ancient travelers. The gorge descends dramatically from the Moabite plateau toward the Dead Sea, creating a striking landscape. Archaeological surveys in the region have documented ancient routes and scattered remains along the wadi. The identification is based primarily on the geographical sequence in Numbers 21 and the wadi's prominent position along likely travel routes through Moab.
Verse Appearances (1)
Num
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →