Telabib
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Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
Telabib is a location mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the book of Ezekiel. It holds significance as a place where the prophet Ezekiel resided during the Babylonian exile. The name "Telabib" is often associated with the Hebrew words for "hill of ears of grain," suggesting a place of agricultural importance or settlement.

Biblical Reference:
The primary biblical reference to Telabib is found in Ezekiel 3:15. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Then I came to the exiles at Telabib who lived by the Kebar River. And I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Telabib was located by the Kebar River, which is believed to be a canal or tributary of the Euphrates River in ancient Babylonia. This region was part of the area where the Jewish exiles were settled following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The location of Telabib is not precisely known today, but it is understood to be within the vicinity of ancient Babylon, in modern-day Iraq.

Significance in Ezekiel's Ministry:
Ezekiel's presence in Telabib is significant as it marks the beginning of his prophetic ministry among the exiles. The prophet was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Israel during a time of great distress and uncertainty. His time in Telabib was a period of preparation and reflection, as indicated by his seven days of sitting among the exiles, overwhelmed by the vision and the task ahead.

Theological Implications:
Telabib serves as a backdrop for understanding the broader themes of exile and restoration in the book of Ezekiel. The prophet's experience in Telabib underscores the reality of God's presence and communication with His people, even in foreign lands and under difficult circumstances. It highlights the faithfulness of God in sending prophets to guide and comfort His people, reminding them of His covenant promises despite their current plight.

Cultural and Symbolic Aspects:
The name "Telabib" itself may carry symbolic meaning, with "tel" referring to a mound or hill, and "abib" relating to ears of grain or the month of Abib (Nisan), which is associated with the beginning of the harvest. This symbolism could reflect themes of renewal and hope, as the exiles longed for a return to their homeland and the restoration of their fortunes.

Conclusion:
While Telabib is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, its role in the narrative of Ezekiel provides insight into the life and mission of the prophet during the Babylonian exile. It serves as a reminder of God's enduring presence and the hope of redemption for His people, even in times of displacement and despair.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Telabib

a heap of new grain

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Telabib

(cornhill) was probably a city of Chaldaea or Babylonia, not of upper Mesopotamia as generally supposed. (Ezekiel 3:16) The whole scene of Ezekiel's preaching and visions seems to have been Chaldaea proper; and the river Chebar, as already observed, was not the Khabour, but a branch of the Euphrates.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Telabib

A place on the river Chebar in Mesopotamia, where a colony of captive Jews was located, Ezekiel 3:15. A town called Thallaba is still found in that region.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hill of corn, a place on the river Chebar, the residence of Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:15). The site is unknown.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TEL-ABIB

tel-a'-bib (tel 'abhibh; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) ad acervum novarum frugum):

1. The Name and Its Meaining:

As written in Hebrew, Tel-abib means "hill of barley-ears" and is mentioned in Ezekiel 3:15 as the place to which the prophet went, and where he found Jewish captives "that dwelt by the river Chebar." That Tel-abib is written, as Fried. Delitzsch suggests, for Til Ababi, "Mound of the Flood" (which may have been a not uncommon village-name in Babylonia) is uncertain. Moreover, if the captives themselves were the authors of the name, it is more likely to have been in the Hebrew language. Septuagint, which has meteoros, "passing on high," referring to the manner in which the prophet reached Tel-abib, must have had a different Hebrew reading.

2. The Position of the Settlement:

If the Chebar be the nar Kabari, as suggested by Hilprecht, Tel-abib must have been situated somewhere in the neighborhood of Niffer, the city identified with the Calneh of Genesis 10:10. The tablet mentioning the river Kabaru refers to grain (barley?) seemingly sent by boat from Niffer in Nisan of the 21st year of Artaxerxes I. Being a navigable waterway, this was probably a good trading-center.

LITERATURE.

See Hilprecht and Clay, Business Documents of Murasha Sons ("Pennsylvania Exp.," Vol IX, 28); Clay, Light on the Old Testament from Babel, 405.

T. G. Pinches

Thesaurus
Telabib (1 Occurrence)
... Babel, 405. TG Pinches. Multi-Version Concordance Telabib (1 Occurrence).
Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib...
/t/telabib.htm - 8k

Tel-abib (1 Occurrence)
Tel-abib. Telabib, Tel-abib. Telah . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (See JPS ASV
DBY WBS NAS RSV). Telabib, Tel-abib. Telah . Reference Bible.
/t/tel-abib.htm - 8k

Tel (5 Occurrences)

/t/tel.htm - 8k

Abib (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the
river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among ...
/a/abib.htm - 10k

Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the
river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among ...
/a/astonished.htm - 34k

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Concordance
Telabib (1 Occurrence)

Ezekiel 3:15
Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
(KJV BBE)

Subtopics

Telabib

Related Terms

Tel-abib (1 Occurrence)

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)

Tel (5 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Telah (1 Occurrence)

Astonied (12 Occurrences)

Abib (5 Occurrences)

Appalled (31 Occurrences)

Astonished (92 Occurrences)

Tel
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