Eltekon
Eltekon is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet ed Deir. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Eltekon is mentioned only once in Scripture, appearing in Joshua 15:59 within the detailed list of cities allotted to the tribe of Judah. It falls among the settlements of the hill country district, grouped with towns such as Maarath and Beth-anoth in the highlands south of Jerusalem. As with many cities in this Judahite list, Eltekon's inclusion testifies to the careful tribal organization of the land following Joshua's conquest, when the inheritance of each tribe was recorded for posterity. Though no specific events are attached to Eltekon in the biblical narrative, its placement in the Judahite hill country puts it in the heartland of the territory that would eventually become the kingdom of Judah. The region was fertile and strategically significant, lying between Jerusalem and the Negev. The name Eltekon may derive from roots meaning 'God has established,' implying a sense of divine foundation that resonated with those who settled these highland communities under the covenant promises given to Abraham's descendants.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Eltekon is tentatively identified with Khirbet ed-Deir, a ruined site located in the hill country southwest of Bethlehem. The identification rests on phonetic similarity and geographical context within the Judahite city list of Joshua 15. Archaeological surveys of the area have recorded Iron Age pottery suggesting settlement during the period of the Israelite monarchy. The site lies in a region of abundant water sources and agricultural potential, consistent with human habitation over extended periods. Systematic excavation has not been carried out at Khirbet ed-Deir itself, though nearby sites in the Bethlehem highlands have produced evidence of continuous occupation from the Middle Bronze Age through the Byzantine period.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →