Sarid
Sarid is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Galilee in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tel Shadud. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Sarid appears in Joshua 19:10-12 as a key landmark on the southern boundary of the territory allotted to the tribe of Zebulun during the division of the Promised Land. The boundary description states that it extended westward to Mareal, reaching to Dabbesheth and the brook before Jokneam. Sarid thus served as a critical reference point for defining Zebulun's inheritance in the Jezreel Valley region of lower Galilee. Though mentioned only in these boundary descriptions, Sarid's strategic location in the fertile Jezreel Valley placed it at the crossroads of important trade and military routes. The valley itself would become the setting for numerous biblical events, including Deborah and Barak's victory over Sisera (Judges 4-5) and Gideon's confrontation with the Midianites (Judges 7). As part of Zebulun's territory, Sarid fell within the region that Isaiah later prophesied would see great light (Isaiah 9:1), a passage fulfilled in Jesus' Galilean ministry. The tribe of Zebulun's territory, anchored by towns like Sarid, connected Israel's heartland to the broader Mediterranean world.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Sarid is identified with Tel Shadud (Tell Shadud), a prominent archaeological mound located in the western Jezreel Valley near modern Yokneam in Israel. The tel commands a strategic position overlooking the valley and controlling access to important ancient roadways. Archaeological surveys and excavations have revealed occupation layers spanning from the Early Bronze Age through the Iron Age, confirming continuous habitation during the biblical period. Notably, a thirteenth-century BC Egyptian coffin was discovered at the site in 2014, demonstrating the region's connections to Egypt during the Late Bronze Age. The tel's substantial size and strategic position corroborate its importance as a boundary marker for Zebulun's tribal territory as described in Joshua.
Verse Appearances (2)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →