Bible Dictionary
Jarmuth
Jarmuth was the name of a Canaanite city in the plain of Judah and a Levitical city in Issachar. The exact location of the latter is uncertain.
Definition
Jarmuth was the name of a Canaanite city in the Shephelah of Judah and of a Levitical city belonging to Issachar.
Biblical Usage
The king of Judah’s Jarmuth joined the coalition against Joshua and was defeated. The Issacharite Jarmuth was assigned to the Levites, and David sent spoil to its inhabitants after defeating the Amalekites.
Historical Background
The Judahite city is identified with Khirbet el-Yarmuk, though the Issacharite site has not been identified with certainty. The latter is also represented by the names Ramoth or Remeth in related lists.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Height. (1.) A town in the plain of Judah (Josh. 15:35), originally the residence of one of the Canaanitish kings (10:3, 5, 23). It has been identified with the modern Yarmuk, a village about 7 miles north-east of Beit-Jibrin. (2.) A Levitical city of the tribe of Issachar (Josh. 21:29), supposed by some to be the Ramah of Samuel (1 Sam. 19:22).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(high).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>jar'-muth (yarmuth:</p><p>(1) A city of the Canaanites in the Shephelah (Jos 15:35) of Judah whose "king," Piram, joined the league of the "five kings" against Joshua (Jos 10:3-5), was defeated at Gibeon and slain at Makkedah (10:23). One of the 31 "kings" defeated in Joshua' s campaign (Jos 12:11). In Jos 15:35 it is mentioned in conjunction with Adullam, Socoh and Azekah, and in Ne 11:29 with Zorah, Zanoah and Adullam. Cheyne (Encyclopedia Biblica) suggests that the "Maroth" of Mic 1:12 may be a copyist's error for Jarmuth. In Eusebius, Onomasticon (OS2 132 31; 266 38) mention is made of a Iermochos, or Jermucha, 10 Roman miles Northeast of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin), The site of this once important place is Khirbet el Yarmuk, a ruin, with many old walls and cisterns, on the top of a hill 1,465 ft. above sealevel. It is nearly 2 miles Northwest of Belt Nattif, from which it is visible, and 8 1/2 miles, as measured on map, N.N.E. of Belt Jibrin. Compare PEF, III, 128, Sh XVIII.</p><p>(2) A city of Issachar belonging to the "children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites" (Jos 21:29); in the duplicate list in 1Ch 6:73 we have Ramoth, while in the Septuagint version of Jos 21:29 we have, in different VSS, Rhemmath or Iermoth. In Jos 19:21 "Remeth" occurs (in Hebrew) in the lists of cities of Issachar; in the Septuagint Rhemmas or Rhamath. The name was probably "Remeth" or "Ramoth," but the place has never been identified with any certainty.</p><p>See RAMOTH.</p><p>E. W. G. Masterman</p>