Telmelah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is associated with the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem during the period of the Persian Empire. The name "Telmelah" is thought to mean "mound of salt" or "hill of salt," though the exact etymology remains uncertain.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:59 : "The following came up from Telmelah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel." This verse is part of a larger passage listing the exiles who returned to Jerusalem and Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel. The people from Telmelah, along with those from other locations, were unable to provide genealogical records to confirm their Israelite heritage.

2. Nehemiah 7:61 : "The following came up from Telmelah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but could not prove that their families were descended from Israel." This passage mirrors the account in Ezra, reiterating the challenge faced by some returnees in establishing their lineage. Nehemiah's record serves to emphasize the importance of maintaining a clear genealogical record for the purposes of religious and social identity within the post-exilic community.

Historical and Theological Context:

Telmelah is mentioned in the context of the return from the Babylonian exile, a significant event in Jewish history. This period marked the fulfillment of prophetic promises of restoration and the re-establishment of the Jewish community in their ancestral homeland. The inability of some returnees to prove their lineage highlights the challenges faced by the exiles in reconstituting their society according to the laws and traditions of Israel.

Theologically, the mention of Telmelah and similar locations underscores the theme of restoration and the faithfulness of God in preserving His people. Despite the challenges and uncertainties faced by the returnees, the overarching narrative is one of divine providence and the re-establishment of the covenant community.

Geographical Considerations:

The precise location of Telmelah is not definitively known, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the biblical text outside of the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah. Some scholars suggest it may have been a settlement or region in Babylonia, from which the exiles originated. The lack of specific geographical information has led to various conjectures, but no archaeological evidence has conclusively identified Telmelah.

Significance in Biblical Genealogy:

The mention of Telmelah in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah serves as a reminder of the importance of lineage and identity in the post-exilic Jewish community. The inability to prove descent from Israel had implications for participation in certain religious and social functions, such as serving in the priesthood or participating fully in the community's religious life. This concern for genealogical purity reflects the broader biblical theme of maintaining the distinct identity of God's chosen people.

In summary, Telmelah is a minor yet significant location in the biblical narrative of the return from exile, illustrating the challenges of re-establishing a community and the enduring importance of identity and heritage in the life of Israel.Telmelah

[TEL-HARSA]

Hill of salt, a place in Babylon from which the Jews returned (id.). TEL-MELAH

tel-me'-la (tel-melah, "hill of salt"): A Babylonian town mentioned in Ezra 2:59 Nehemiah 7:61 with Tel-harsha and Cherub (see TEL-HARSHA). It possibly lay on the low salt tract near the Persian Gulf. In 1 Esdras 5:36 it is called "Thermeleth."

Telmelah (2 Occurrences)
... It possibly lay on the low salt tract near the Persian Gulf. In 1 Esdras 5:36 it
is called "Thermeleth.". Multi-Version Concordance Telmelah (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/telmelah.htm - 7k

Telharesha (1 Occurrence)
... Nehemiah 7:61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha,
Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor ...
/t/telharesha.htm - 7k

Telharsa (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 2:59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed ...
/t/telharsa.htm - 6k

Tel-mela (1 Occurrence)
Tel-mela. Tells, Tel-mela. Telmelah . Multi-Version Concordance Tel-mela
(1 Occurrence). ... Tells, Tel-mela. Telmelah . Reference Bible.
/t/tel-mela.htm - 6k

Tel-melah (2 Occurrences)
Tel-melah. Telmelah, Tel-melah. Tel-me'lah . Easton's Bible Dictionary Hill ...
NAS). Telmelah, Tel-melah. Tel-me'lah . Reference Bible.
/t/tel-melah.htm - 7k

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