Mount of the Valley
A Geographical Marker in Reuben's Territory
The "Mount of the Valley" appears in Joshua 13:19 as a descriptive phrase identifying the location of Zereth-shahar, one of the towns allotted to the tribe of Reuben. The Hebrew phrase "behar ha'emeq" literally means "on the mountain of the valley," indicating that Zereth-shahar sat on an elevated point overlooking a valley, most likely the Jordan Valley or the rift extending along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.
The Allocation to Reuben
When Moses divided the Transjordanian territories among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Reuben received the land south of the Arnon River extending northward (Joshua 13:15-23). This territory included cities on the Moabite plateau and along the slopes descending to the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley. Zereth-shahar, situated on the Mount of the Valley, was one of the towns within this allocation, listed alongside other Reubenite cities like Heshbon, Dibon, and Beth-peor (Joshua 13:17-20).
The Geography of the Region
The eastern side of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea is characterized by dramatic topography. The Transjordanian plateau sits at roughly 2,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level, while the Dead Sea lies at approximately 1,400 feet below sea level. Mountains and ridges along the edge of the plateau offer commanding views of the valley below. The Mount of the Valley likely refers to one of these elevated positions on the western edge of the Moabite plateau, where a town could overlook the rift valley while maintaining access to the agricultural land of the plateau.
Attempts at Identification
The exact location of the Mount of the Valley and Zereth-shahar remains uncertain. Some scholars have suggested a connection with Wadi es-Sara, northwest of the plateau region, where the name may preserve a trace of Zereth-shahar. Others have pointed to the mountains described by the first-century historian Josephus in the region east of the Jordan Valley. Despite various proposals, no definitive archaeological identification has been achieved.
Significance of Transjordanian Settlements
The detailed listing of towns like Zereth-shahar on the Mount of the Valley demonstrates the thoroughness of the Israelite settlement of the Promised Land. Even relatively minor locations were carefully recorded and allocated to specific tribes. These Transjordanian settlements played an important role in Israel's history, serving as the eastern frontier of the nation and providing agricultural resources from the fertile plateau. The tribes east of the Jordan maintained their Israelite identity even though they were separated from the western tribes by the river.
Biblical Context
The Mount of the Valley appears only in Joshua 13:19 as the location of Zereth-shahar in the tribal territory of Reuben. It is part of the detailed land allocation recorded in Joshua 13:15-23, which describes the cities and regions assigned to Reuben in the Transjordan. The broader context is the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel.
Theological Significance
The Mount of the Valley, though a minor geographical detail, reflects God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promise to give Israel a specific, defined homeland. The careful recording of even small towns and their locations demonstrates that God's covenant promises were carried out in concrete, measurable ways. The allocation of Transjordanian territory also illustrates that God's people could inhabit diverse landscapes while remaining united in worship and covenant identity.
Historical Background
The Transjordanian territory assigned to Reuben had a complex history. It was originally Moabite land, then conquered by the Amorite king Sihon, and finally taken by the Israelites under Moses (Numbers 21:21-31). The region's cities changed hands multiple times over the following centuries. The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele, 9th century BC) mentions several cities in this area that had been contested between Israel and Moab. Archaeological surveys of the Jordanian plateau have identified numerous Iron Age settlement sites consistent with the biblical descriptions.