Bible Dictionary
Eshtaol
Eshtaol was a town in the low country of Judah later allotted to Dan. Samson lived and began his ministry in its vicinity, and Danite men from Eshtaol joined in the expedition against Laish.
Definition
Eshtaol was a town in the Shephelah, or low country, first assigned to Judah and later allotted to Dan. Its name is associated with a pass or narrow recess.
Biblical Usage
Samson spent his boyhood near Eshtaol, and the Spirit of the Lord began to move him in the area between Eshtaol and Zorah. He was buried there, and men from Eshtaol joined the Danite expedition against Laish.
Historical Background
Eshtaol was near Zorah and Mahaneh-dan. It has been identified with modern Ashu‘a, though another proposed identification is Kustul.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Narrow pass or recess, a town (Josh. 15:33) in the low country, the She-phelah of Judah. It was allotted to the tribe of Dan (Josh. 19:41), and was one of their strongholds. Here Samson spent his boyhood, and first began to show his mighty strength; and here he was buried in the burying-place of Manoah his father (Judg. 13:25; 16:31; 18:2, 8, 11, 12). It is identified with the modern Yeshua, on a hill 2 miles east of Zorah. Others, however, identify it with Kustul, east of Kirjath-jearim.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a pass), a town in the low country—the Shefelah—of Judah, after wards allotted to Dan. (Joshua 15:33; 19:41) Here Samson spent his boyhood, and hither after his last exploit his body was brought. (Judges 13:25; 16:31; 18:2,8,11,12)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>esh'-ta-ol ('eshta'ol; Astaol):</p><p>A town in the Shephelah of Judah named next to Zorah (Jos 15:33; 19:41). Between these two cities lay Mahaneh-dan (the camp of Dan) where the Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson (Jud 13:25), and where he was buried (Jud 16:31). A contingent from Eshtaol formed part of the 600 Danites who captured Laish (Jud 18:2,11).</p><p>It is probably represented by the modern Ashu`a, about a mile and a half East of Zorah, the modern Car`ah.</p>