Bible Dictionary
Eshcol
Eshcol was an Amorite chief and an ally of Abraham in rescuing Lot. Eshcol was also the name of a valley where Israel’s spies gathered a large cluster of grapes.
Definition
Eshcol was an Amorite chief, the brother of Mamre and Aner, and an ally of Abraham. Eshcol was also the name of a valley associated with abundant grapes.
Biblical Usage
Eshcol joined Abraham in pursuing the kings who had captured Lot. The valley of Eshcol was explored by Israel’s spies, who took from it a large cluster of grapes as evidence of the land’s fruitfulness.
Historical Background
The valley was near Hebron and was noted for grapes, pomegranates, and figs. The name means “cluster of grapes.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Bunch; brave. (1.) A young Amoritish chief who joined Abraham in the recovery of Lot from the hands of Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:13, 24). (2.) A valley in which the spies obtained a fine cluster of grapes (Num. 13:23, 24; “the brook Eshcol,” A.V.; “the valley of Eshcol,” R.V.), which they took back with them to the camp of Israel as a specimen of the fruits of the Promised Land. On their way back they explored the route which led into the south (the Negeb) by the western edge of the mountains at Telilat el-‘Anab, i.e., “grape-mounds”, near Beersheba. “In one of these extensive valleys, perhaps in Wady Hanein, where miles of grape-mounds even now meet the eye, they cut the gigantic clusters of grapes, and gathered the pomegranates and figs, to show how goodly was the land which the Lord had promised for their inheritance.”, Palmer’s Desert of the Exodus.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(cluster of grapes), brother of Mamre the Amorite and of Aner, and one of Abraham’s companions in his pursuit of the four kings who had carried off Lot. (Genesis 14:13,24) (B.C. 1912.).