Joshua 15:33

“[And] in the valley, etc.] In (<061533>Joshua 15:33-47) are enumerated the several cities belonging to the tribe of Judah which lay in the valley. Jerom f335 says, that now all the plain and champaign country near Eleutheropolis, which verges to the north and west, is called “Sephela”, or the valley: Eshtaol; the two first of these seem to be given afterwards to the tribe of Dan, (<061941>Joshua 19:41); between these two places Samson was born and buried, (<071302>Judges 13:2,25 16:31); they were both at the same distance from Eleutheropolis, according to Jerom; of Eshtaol he says f336, it is showed to this day ten miles from Eleutheropolis, to the north, as you go to Nicopolis or Emmaus;…”

“List of the towns of the tribe of Judah. These are arranged in four divisions, according to the natural features of the district; namely,, those of the Negeb or south country Joshua 15:21-32; of “the valley,” or “the plain” (“Shephelah”, Joshua 15:33-47); of “the mountains” Joshua 15:48-60; and of “the wilderness” Joshua 15:61-62. Many of the identifications are still conjectural only. Joshua 15:21-32. The Negeb was for the most part rocky and arid, and cannot have been at any time very thickly populated. Joshua 15:21 Kabzeel was the native place of Benaiah 2 Samuel 23:20, who was famous as a slayer of lions. The Negeb was a principal haunt of these beasts. Joshua 15:24 Telem may be the…”

“15:33 From the perspective of the highlanders of the Judean hill country, the lower hills between them and the coastal plain were the western foothills. These hills were separated geologically from the hill country by a series of north–south valleys. In this list, the western foothills are divided into four districts.”

“Eshtaol: This town is placed by Eusebius ten mile from Eleutheropolis, towards Nicopolis, and it is supposed to be a wretched village, called Esdad, about 15 miles south of Yebna. Jos 19:41; Num 13:23; Jdg 13:25, Jdg 16:31 Zoreah: A town near to Eshtaol, placed at ten miles' distance n of Eleutheropolis by Eusebius. Joshua 15:34”