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אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים

𐤀𐤁𐤋 𐤄𐤔𐤈𐤉𐤌

Avel Hashitim

H63 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אבל, שׁטה to be grassy, to be moist, acacia tree

Definition

A geographical location name meaning 'Meadow of the Acacias,' designating a specific site east of the Jordan River near the plains of Moab. The term refers to a place notable for its acacia trees, indicating a characteristic natural feature. The phrase often appears in the context of Israelite encampment before crossing the Jordan into Canaan (Numbers 33:49; Joshua 2:1; Micah 6:5). Semantic range restricted to toponymic usage as a place-name, without extended metaphorical or secondary senses.

Semantic Range

meadow of acacias, a specific geographical site near the plains of Moab, last Israelite camp before the Jordan crossing

Root / Etymology

Composed of אָבֵל (abel, 'meadow, grassy place') from the root אבל (to be grassy, moist, or a meadow) and שִׁטִּים (shittim, 'acacias,' plural from שִׁטָּה, shittah meaning 'acacia tree'), with the definite article -הַ (ha-) attached to שִׁטִּים. Thus: Abel (meadow) + ha-shittim (the acacias) = 'Meadow of the Acacias.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The place-name appears in key transitional moments in Israelite history, marking the final encampment location of the Israelites before crossing into Canaan (see Num 33:49). It is rendered in various English translations as 'Abel-shittim' or 'Meadow of the Acacias,' though some versions contract or conflate the name. Ancient name forms are consistently toponymic, with no evidence that the phrase refers to a tribal or ethnic group. The site is sometimes associated archaeologically with Tell el-Hammam, but this identification is debated. Unlike later references to the region under terms like 'Judea,' Abel ha-Shittim refers specifically to a site east of the Jordan in the Transjordanian plain, not within the later province of Judea. The acacia tree (shittah) is native to arid regions, aligning with the known landscape. No metaphorical uses are preserved in biblical or later Hebrew. The inclusion of the article in ha-shittim is distinctive for Hebrew place-naming formulae.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָבֵל and the plural of שִׁטָּה, with the article inserted; meadow of the acacias; Abel hash-Shittim, a place in Palestine; Abelshittim.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבל, שׁטה (ʾ-b-l; š-ṭ-h) — to be grassy, to be moist; acacia tree

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H63-02 הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים hashitim HNp shittim the Acacias Avel Hashitim 1
H63-01 אָבֵ֣ל avel HNp Abel Meadow of the Acacias Avel Hashitim 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H63-01 Numbers 33:49 אָבֵ֣ל avel HNp Abel Meadow of the Acacias Avel Hashitim
H63-02 Numbers 33:49 הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים hashitim HNp shittim the Acacias Avel Hashitim
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