Places in the Bible Today:

Valley of Eshcol

Data

Translated NamesEshcol, Eshcol Valley, Valley of Eshcol, valley of Eshcol, Valley of Eshkol, Wadi Eshcol, wadi of Eschol
Typevalley
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

4 Possible Identifications

  1. within 5 km of Hebron (ancient): 60% confidence

    1. ruins at Tel Rumeidawithin 5 km of Tel Rumeida

  2. region around Burj el Haska (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. satellite view of the region around Burj el Haskaregion around Burj el Haska

  3. region around Ain Eshkali (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. satellite view of the region around Ain Eshkaliregion around Ain Eshkali

  4. within 2 km of Mamre (ancient): less than 10% confidence. It may be:

    1. ruins at Ramat el Khalilwithin 2 km of Ramat el Khalil

    2. monastery at Ain Sebtawithin 2 km of Ain Sebta

    3. satellite view of the region around Khirbet Nimrehwithin 2 km of Khirbet Nimreh

Verses (4)

  1. Num 13:23, 13:24, 32:9
  2. Deut 1:24

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookValley of Eshcol
OpenBible.info (2007)Valley of Eshcol
OpenBible.infoa38ecff (Valley of Eshcol)
TIPNREshcol_Valley@Num.13.23
WikidataQ5397792

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Eshcol (place)
  2. Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2013): Eshkol
  3. Baly, Atlas of the Biblical World (1971): Eshcol, valley of
  4. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Eshcol (place)
  5. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1984): Num 13:23-25; Deut 1:24-25
  6. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (2011): Eshcol
  7. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1979): Eshcol
  8. IVP Old Testament Bible Background Commentary (2000): Num 13:24
  9. Lexham Bible Dictionary (2016): Eshcol, Valley of
  10. Matthews, Genesis (1996, 2005): 14:13-16
  11. New Bible Dictionary (1996): Eshcol
  12. New Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary (2009)
  13. New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (1988): Eshcol
  14. Oxford Bible Atlas, Fourth Edition (2007)
  15. Tyndale Bible Dictionary (2001): Eshcol (Place)
  16. Westminster Historical Atlas to the Bible (1956): Eshcol, Brook of Valley of
  17. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (1975): Eshcol
  18. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)
  19. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2009): Deut 1:24

Confidence Trends over Time

This chart indicates how confidence in the identifications is changing over time. Each dot (connected by a dotted line) reflects the confidence of an identification over the preceding ten years (e.g., the 2009 dot reflects scholarship from 2000 to 2009), and the corresponding solid line reflects a best-fit line for the identification. Confidences that cluster near or below 0% indicate low confidence. Because of the small dataset, it's best to use this chart for general trends; if one identification is trending much higher than the others (in this case, within 5 km of Hebron), then you can probably have higher confidence in the identification. This chart only reflects the sources I consulted (listed above), not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Thumbnail Image Credits

Dr. Avishai Teicher, Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019, Yywilk, Copper Kettle

About

This page attempts to identify all the possible locations where this biblical place could be. The confidence levels add up to less than 100%, indicating that the modern location is uncertain. It's best to think about the confidences in relative rather than absolute terms. Often they reflect different schools of thought, each confident in their identifications.