Bible Dictionary
Jeruel
Jeruel was a wilderness or desert region where Jehoshaphat’s forces were to meet the invading Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. Its exact location is uncertain.
Definition
Jeruel was a wilderness or desert region on the route from the Dead Sea valley toward Jerusalem. Its name means “founded by God” or “founded by El,” but its exact location is uncertain.
Biblical Usage
Jeruel was the place where Jahaziel announced that Jehoshaphat would meet the forces of Moab, Ammon, and the Meunites after they came by the ascent of Ziz.
Historical Background
The wilderness lay beyond the wilderness of Tekoa in the direction of En-gedi, and it has been associated with the tract called el-Hasasah. Another proposal identifies the name with Jezreel of Judah.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Founded by God, a “desert” on the ascent from the valley of the Dead Sea towards Jerusalem. It lay beyond the wilderness of Tekoa, in the direction of Engedi (2 Chr. 20:16, 20). It corresponds with the tract of country now called el-Hasasah.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(founded by God), The wilderness of, the place in which Jehoshaphat was informed by Jahaziel the Levite that he should encounter the hordes of Ammon, Moab and the Mehunims. (2 Chronicles 20:16) The name has not been met with.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>je-roo'-el, jer'-oo-el (yeru'el, "founded by El"): Jahaziel prophesied that King Jehoshaphat should meet the hordes of Moabites and Ammonites, after they had come up by the "ascent of Ziz," "at the end of the valley (i.e. wady), before the wilderness of Jeruel" (2Ch 20:16). The particular part of the wilderness intended, is unknown. Cheyne (Encyclopedia Biblica) thinks this may be an error for the Jezreel of Judah, mentioned in Jos 15:56, etc.</p><p>See JEZREEL.</p>