Telem
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Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical References:
Telem is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua and the Book of 1 Samuel. The references to Telem are brief, yet they provide insight into the geographical and tribal landscape of ancient Israel.

1. Joshua 15:24 · "Ziph, Telem, Bealoth," . In this passage, Telem is listed as one of the towns in the southern part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This allocation is part of the broader division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua. The mention of Telem here situates it within the Negev region, a semi-arid area that was part of Judah's inheritance.

2. 1 Samuel 15:4 · "So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah." . While the Berean Standard Bible uses "Telaim," some translations and interpretations consider this to be a reference to Telem. In this context, Telaim is the location where King Saul mustered his army before his campaign against the Amalekites, as commanded by God through the prophet Samuel. This event underscores the strategic importance of the region and its role in Israel's military history.

Historical and Geographical Context:
Telem, as part of the Negev, was situated in a region characterized by its arid climate and rugged terrain. The Negev served as a buffer zone between the settled areas of Judah and the desert lands to the south. This location made it significant for both defense and trade, as it lay along routes connecting the interior of Israel with the Sinai Peninsula and beyond.

The town's inclusion in the tribal allotment of Judah highlights the tribe's extensive territory, which encompassed a diverse range of landscapes from fertile valleys to desert expanses. The strategic positioning of towns like Telem would have been crucial for maintaining control over the southern borders of Judah and for facilitating communication and movement within the tribe's domain.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, the mention of Telem in the context of the tribal allotments in Joshua underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness in delivering the land He promised to His people.

In 1 Samuel, the reference to Telaim (potentially Telem) in the narrative of Saul's campaign against the Amalekites serves as a backdrop to a significant moment in Israel's history. Saul's failure to fully obey God's command during this campaign ultimately leads to his rejection as king. This event highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Archaeological Insights:
While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Telem has not been conclusively found, the broader region of the Negev has been the subject of extensive archaeological study. Discoveries in the area have provided valuable insights into the lifestyle, trade, and military activities of ancient Israelite society. The presence of fortifications, agricultural installations, and trade routes in the Negev supports the biblical portrayal of the region as a vital part of Judah's territory.

Conclusion:
Telem, though briefly mentioned in the biblical text, plays a role in illustrating the geographical and historical context of ancient Israel. Its inclusion in the tribal allotments and its potential connection to significant events in Israel's history reflect the broader themes of God's providence and the importance of faithfulness to His commands.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Telem

their dew; their shadow

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Telem

(oppression).

  1. One of the cities in the extreme south of Judah, (Joshua 15:24) probably the same as Telaim. The name Dhullam is found in Van Deuteronomy Velde's map, attached to a district immediately to the north of the Kubbet el-Baul , south of el Milh and Ararah --a position very suitable.
  2. A porter or doorkeeper of the temple in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:24) He is probably the same as TALMON in (Nehemiah 12:25)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Oppression.

(1.) A porter of the temple in the time of Ezra (10:24).

(2.) A town in the southern border of Judah (Joshua 15:24); probably the same as Telaim.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TELEM (1)

te'-lem (Telem; Telem): A city in the Negeb "toward the border of Edom," belonging to Judah (Joshua 15:24). In Septuagint of 2 Samuel 3:12 Abner is said to send messengers to David at Thelam (Thailam); this would seem to be the same place and also to be identical with the Telaim and Telam of Saul (see TELAIM). It is probably the same as the Talmia of the Talmud (Neubauer, Geog. du Talmud, 121). The site has not been recovered.

TELEM (2)

(Telem; Septuagint Codex Vaticanus Telem; Codex Alexandrinus Tellem): One of three "porters" who had married foreign wives (Ezra 10:24), his name appearing as "Tolbanes" in 1 Esdras 9:25; perhaps the same as TALMON (which see).

Strong's Hebrew
2928. Telem -- an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah
... 2927, 2928. Telem. 2929 . an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah.
Transliteration: Telem Phonetic Spelling: (teh'-lem) Short Definition: Telem. ...
/hebrew/2928.htm - 6k

8525. telem -- a furrow
... 8524, 8525. telem. 8526 . a furrow. Transliteration: telem Phonetic Spelling:
(teh'-lem) Short Definition: furrows. ... 8524, 8525. telem. 8526 . ...
/hebrew/8525.htm - 5k

8526. Talmay -- "plowman," a father-in-law of David, also a ...
... Word Origin from the same as telem Definition "plowman," a father-in-law of David,
also a desc. of Anak NASB Word Usage Talmai (6). Talmai. ... see HEBREW telem. ...
/hebrew/8526.htm - 6k

Library

Making the Best of Trouble
... and his men went up and made a raid upon the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the
Amalekites; for these tribes live in the land which extends from Telem to the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/making the best of trouble.htm

Thesaurus
Telem (2 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TELEM (1). te'-lem (Telem; Telem): A city in the Negeb
"toward the border of Edom," belonging to Judah (Joshua 15:24). ...TELEM (2). ...
/t/telem.htm - 8k

Telaim (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Young lambs, a place at which Saul gathered his army to
fight against Amalek (1 Samuel 15:4); probably the same as Telem (2). Int. ...
/t/telaim.htm - 7k

Ziph (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ziph (9 Occurrences). Joshua 15:24 Ziph, Telem,
Bealoth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/ziph.htm - 11k

Uri (7 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the porters: Shallum, and Telem,
and Uri. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/uri.htm - 9k

Furrow (3 Occurrences)
... fur'-o (telem): The word is translated "furrows" in Job 39:10; Job 31:38 Psalm
65:10 Hosea 10:4; Hosea 12:11 (Psalm 65:10 the King James Version, "ridges"). ...
/f/furrow.htm - 9k

Tolbanes
... tol'-ba-nez, tol-ba'-nez (Tolbanes): One of the porters who had taken foreign wives
(1 Esdras 9:25) = "Telem" of Ezra 10:24; perhaps identical with the porter ...
/t/tolbanes.htm - 6k

Telharesha (1 Occurrence)

/t/telharesha.htm - 7k

Tel-assar (2 Occurrences)
Tel-assar. Telassar, Tel-assar. Telem . Multi-Version Concordance Tel-assar
(2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Telassar, Tel-assar. Telem . Reference Bible.
/t/tel-assar.htm - 6k

Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences)
... the captivity. (See RSV). Ezra 10:24 And of the singers: Eliashib; and of
the porters: Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. (See RSV). Ezra ...
/e/eli'ashib.htm - 10k

Eliashib (15 Occurrences)
... NIV). Ezra 10:24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the porters: Shallum, and
Telem, and Uri. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/e/eliashib.htm - 13k

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