Original Word: דַּבֶּשֶׁת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Dabbesheth
Pronunciation: dab-beh'-sheth
Phonetic Spelling: (dab-beh'-sheth)
KJV: Dabbesheth
NASB: Dabbesheth
Word Origin: [the same as H1707 (דַּבֶּשֶׁת - humps)]

1. Dabbesheth, a place in Israel

Dabbesheth

The same as dabbesheth; Dabbesheth, a place in Palestine -- Dabbesheth.

see HEBREW dabbesheth

Word Origin
from the same as debash
Definition
"hump," a place in Zebulun
NASB Translation
Dabbesheth (1).

Location and Setting

Dabbesheth appears as a town on the western border of the tribe of Zebulun in northern Israel, marking the transition from the fertile Jezreel Valley up toward the foothills of Mount Carmel. Its single biblical mention situates it between Maralah and the ravine (or brook) east of Jokneam, indicating a position near the junction of the coastal plain and the inland valley systems.

Biblical Context

In the apportioning of Canaan, the territory of Zebulun is carefully traced so that each family might know its inheritance. Joshua 19:11 records: “Then it went westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the ravine east of Jokneam.” Dabbesheth therefore serves as a legal boundary marker—part of the divine allotment that fulfilled God’s earlier promise regarding the land (Genesis 15:18; Numbers 34:1–12). Its inclusion underscores the precision with which the Lord delivered what He had sworn to the patriarchs and emphasizes the orderly distribution of Israel’s inheritance.

Geographical Proposals

Scholars place Dabbesheth somewhere along the northwestern edge of the Jezreel Valley:
• Some equate it with the modern site of Dabburiya or Daburiya, a village on the lower slopes of Mount Tabor.
• Others favor a correlation with Khirbet Dabsheh, a ruin south-east of present-day Yokneam.
• The proximity to Jokneam and the mention of a ravine suggest a position near Wadi el-Milh, a natural pass historically used for east-west travel.

While no proposal is conclusive, all candidates occupy a strategic corridor linking Galilee, the Jezreel plain, and the Mediterranean coast.

Strategic Importance

1. Trade and Travel: Any community along this corridor would have benefited from caravans moving between Phoenicia and the Jordan Valley, offering Zebulun opportunities for commerce prophesied in Genesis 49:13.
2. Military Significance: Control of the passes in this region was vital. Nearby Jokneam later became a royal Canaanite stronghold subdued under Joshua (Joshua 12:22), stressing how boundary towns like Dabbesheth contributed to Israel’s defensive network.
3. Agricultural Value: The surrounding valley’s rich soil provided grain and viticulture, supporting Zebulun’s economic life and the worship cycles linked to firstfruits and harvest festivals (Leviticus 23:9-22).

Theological Themes and Ministry Application

• Covenant Fulfillment: Dabbesheth’s appearance in a boundary list reminds readers that God’s promises extend to specific places and families; each allotment testifies to His reliability (Joshua 21:45).
• Stewardship of Inheritance: Though obscure, the site challenges believers to value every portion of their God-given heritage. Just as Zebulun was expected to occupy and develop its land, Christians are called to steward spiritual gifts and ministry fields assigned to them (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
• Unity in Diversity: The precision of tribal borders allowed Israel’s twelve tribes to function together without confusion. Likewise, the body of Christ thrives when members recognize and respect God-ordained boundaries in service (Romans 12:3-8).

Archaeological Notes

No definitive excavation has yet identified artifacts bearing the name Dabbesheth. Surveys at Khirbet Dabsheh have revealed Iron Age pottery, indicating occupation contemporary with early Israel, while an ancient road and cisterns at Daburiya highlight long-term settlement potential. Future digs may clarify the town’s exact placement and size, adding texture to the biblical landscape.

Key Scriptural Reference

Joshua 19:11

Related Entries

Jokneam; Zebulun; Jezreel Valley

בְּדַבָּ֑שֶׁת בדבשת bə·ḏab·bā·šeṯ bəḏabbāšeṯ bedabBashetInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts