Rabbith
Rabbith is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Horvat Devora. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Rabbith is mentioned in Joshua 19:20 as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Issachar during the division of the Promised Land. The city appears within a list of sixteen towns that formed Issachar's inheritance in the fertile Jezreel Valley and surrounding hills. The name Rabbith, related to the Hebrew word for "great" or "many," suggests it was a settlement of some significance in the region. Issachar's territory occupied a strategically important area in the heart of the northern kingdom, encompassing the rich agricultural lands of the Jezreel Valley that served as a breadbasket for ancient Israel. Though Rabbith does not appear again in the biblical narrative, its location within Issachar's allotment connects it to the broader story of God's faithful distribution of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes. The tribe of Issachar is described in 1 Chronicles 12:32 as men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, lending their territory a reputation for wisdom and discernment.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Rabbith is tentatively identified with Horvat Devora (also known as Khirbet Daburah), located at the foot of Mount Tabor in the lower Galilee region of modern Israel. The site overlooks the Jezreel Valley and occupies a position consistent with the biblical description of Issachar's territory. Surface surveys have recovered pottery from the Iron Age and later periods. The broader region around Mount Tabor has been subject to extensive archaeological investigation, revealing numerous small settlements from the Israelite period. The fertile agricultural land of the Jezreel Valley surrounding the site remains highly productive today. The identification of Rabbith with Horvat Devora, while widely accepted, is based primarily on toponymic analysis and geographical considerations rather than conclusive epigraphic evidence.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →