Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 7:22

Albert Barnes Commentary

Judges 7:22

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Judges 7:22

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And they blew the three hundred trumpets, and Jehovah set every man`s sword against his fellow, and against all the host; and the host fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath." — Judges 7:22 (ASV)

Beth-shittah means “House of the acacias.” These are the same trees that gave their name to “Shittim” (Numbers 33:49) in the plains of Moab and also grew plentifully in the peninsula of Sinai (Exodus 25:5). Beth-shittah is perhaps “Shuttah” in the Valley of Jezreel, or it may be another name for Scythopolis or Beth-shan (compare to 1 Kings 4:12).

“Zererath” or “Zeredath,” near Succoth (Judges 8:5), is the same as “Zeredah” in Ephraim, the birthplace of Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:26), and also “Zartauah” (1 Kings 4:12).

“Abel-meholah” (“field of the dance”), the birthplace of Elisha (1 Kings 19:16), is in the Jordan Valley, 10 miles from Scythopolis if identified with Bethmaela; if it is the same as Abelmea, it lay between Nablus and Scythopolis. (But see 1 Kings 19:16 note.)

“Tabbath” was apparently lower down the Jordan Valley, that is, further south.