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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Ish-Tob</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/i/ish-tob.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_samuel/10-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/i/ish-tob.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Ish-Tob</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/i/ishtob.htm" title="Ishtob">◄</a> Ish-Tob <a href="/topical/naves/i/ish-tob--a_small_state_of_aram.htm" title="Ish-Tob: A Small State of Aram">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Introduction:</b> <br>Ish-tob is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically within the historical narratives concerning the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel. The name "Ish-tob" translates to "man of Tob" or "men of Tob," referring to a region or group of people associated with the land of Tob. This entry explores the biblical references to Ish-tob, its geographical and historical context, and its significance in the biblical narrative.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b> <br>The primary reference to Ish-tob is found in the context of the conflict involving Jephthah, a judge of Israel. In <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Judges 11:3</a>, it is mentioned that Jephthah fled from his brothers and "settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him" . This indicates that Tob was a place of refuge and possibly a region outside the immediate control of Israelite tribes.<br><br>Another significant mention of Ish-tob occurs in <a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">2 Samuel 10:6</a>, where the Ammonites, realizing they had become odious to David, hired mercenaries from various regions, including "twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and twelve thousand men from Tob" . This passage highlights the military involvement of the men of Tob in the regional conflicts of the time.<br><br><b>Geographical Context:</b> <br>The land of Tob is believed to be located east of the Jordan River, possibly in the region of modern-day Jordan or southern Syria. It is often associated with the area near Gilead, as Jephthah, a Gileadite, found refuge there. The exact boundaries and political status of Tob during the biblical period remain uncertain, but it is clear that it was a distinct entity capable of providing military support.<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context:</b> <br>During the time of the Judges and the early monarchy, the land of Tob was likely a semi-autonomous region inhabited by various groups, including Arameans and other non-Israelite peoples. The presence of mercenaries from Tob in the conflict with David suggests that the region had a warrior culture and was involved in the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Near East.<br><br>The narrative of Jephthah indicates that Tob was a place where outcasts and those seeking refuge could gather, suggesting a degree of social and political independence. This aligns with the broader theme in the Book of Judges of God using unexpected and marginalized individuals to deliver Israel.<br><br><b>Significance in the Biblical Narrative:</b> <br>Ish-tob's significance lies in its role as a place of refuge for Jephthah, who would later become a judge and deliverer of Israel. The association with Jephthah underscores the theme of redemption and divine providence, as God raises a leader from a place of exile and rejection.<br><br>The involvement of the men of Tob in the conflict against David highlights the complex alliances and enmities in the ancient Near East. It serves as a reminder of the constant threats faced by Israel from surrounding nations and the need for reliance on God's guidance and protection.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>While Ish-tob is not a central focus in the biblical narrative, its mentions provide valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of the time. The land of Tob, as a place of refuge and a source of military support, plays a role in the unfolding account of Israel's judges and kings, illustrating the intricate tapestry of relationships and events that shaped the history of God's people.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Ish-Tob</span><p>good man<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">ISH-TOB</span><p>ish'-tob ('ish Tobh, the American Standard Revised Version "the men of Tob"): A place in Palestine, probably a small kingdom, large enough, however, to supply at least 12,000 men of valor to the children of Ammorn in their struggle against Joab, David's general (<a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">2 Samuel 10:6, 8</a>).<br><br>See <a href="../i/ish.htm">ISH</a>.<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/382a.htm"><span class="l">382a. <b>ish</b>-<b>Tob</b> -- "men of Tob," inhab. of a region East of the <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>ish</b>-<b>Tob</b>. 382, 382a. <b>ish</b>-<b>Tob</b>. 382b . "men of Tob," inhab. of a region East<br> of the Jordan. Transliteration: <b>ish</b>-<b>Tob</b> Short Definition: Tob. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/382a.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/382.htm"><span class="l">382. Iysh-Towb -- "men of Tob," inhab. of a region East of the <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> "men of Tob," inhab. of a region East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Iysh-Towb<br> Phonetic Spelling: (eesh-tobe') Short Definition: <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b>. <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b> <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/382.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/baring-gould/the_village_pulpit_volume_ii_trinity_to_advent/xliii_persistency_in_wrong_doing.htm"><span class="l">Persistency in Wrong Doing.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot<br> soldiers, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and of <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b> twelve thousand <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../xliii persistency in wrong doing.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/more_than_conquerors_through_him.htm"><span class="l">'More than Conquerors through Him'</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 'And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering<br> in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b>, and Maacah <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_6_how_the_war.htm"><span class="l">How the War was Waged against the Ammonites and Happily Concluded.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> They also hired the king of the country called Maacah, and a fourth king,<br> by name <b>Ishtob</b>; which last had twelve thousand armed men. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the war.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/i/ishtob.htm"><span class="l"><b>Ishtob</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>ish</b>'-<b>tob</b> ('ish Tobh, the American Standard Revised Version "the men of Tob"): A<br> place in Palestine, probably a small kingdom, large enough <b>...</b><b>Ishtob</b> (2 Occurrences <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/ishtob.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/ish-tob.htm"><span class="l"><b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b>. <b>Ishtob</b>, <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b>. Ishua . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia<br><b>ISH</b>-<b>TOB</b>. <b>...</b> (WBS YLT). <b>Ishtob</b>, <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b>. Ishua . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/ish-tob.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bene-ammon.htm"><span class="l">Bene-ammon (44 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Bene-Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen,<br> and the king of Maacah 'with' a thousand men, and <b>Ish</b>-<b>Tob</b> 'with' twelve <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bene-ammon.htm - 20k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/ishshiah.htm"><span class="l">Ishshiah (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/ishshiah.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/ishua.htm"><span class="l">Ishua (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/ishua.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/ish.htm"><span class="l">Ish</span></a><br><b>...</b> ISH. ('ish): In the following Hebrew proper names, a prefix meaning "man of," or,<br> collectively, "men of": Ish-bosheth, Ishhod, <b>Ish</b>-<b>tob</b> (but the Revised Version <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/ish.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bethrehob.htm"><span class="l">Bethrehob (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand<br> footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of <b>Ishtob</b> twelve thousand men. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bethrehob.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/abhorred.htm"><span class="l">Abhorred (31 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Bene-Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen,<br> and the king of Maacah 'with' a thousand men, and <b>Ish</b>-<b>Tob</b> 'with' twelve <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/abhorred.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/stank.htm"><span class="l">Stank (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand<br> footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of <b>Ishtob</b> twelve thousand men. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/stank.htm - 8k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/David-and-Ish-bosheth.html">What is the story of David and Ish-Bosheth? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Rechab-and-Baanah.html">Who were Rechab and Baanah? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Abner-and-Joab.html">What is the story of Abner and Joab? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Ish-tob (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">2 Samuel 10:6</a></span><br />And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of <span class="boldtext">Ish-tob</span> twelve thousand men.<br /><span class="source">(WBS YLT)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_samuel/10-8.htm">2 Samuel 10:8</a></span><br />And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and <span class="boldtext">Ish-tob</span>, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.<br /><span class="source">(WBS YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/ish-tob.htm">Ish-Tob</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/ish-tob--a_small_state_of_aram.htm">Ish-Tob: A Small State of Aram</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ish-tob.htm">Ish-tob (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bene-ammon.htm">Bene-ammon (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ishshiah.htm">Ishshiah (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ishua.htm">Ishua (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/ish.htm">Ish</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bethrehob.htm">Bethrehob (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abhorred.htm">Abhorred (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stank.htm">Stank (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/entering.htm">Entering (124 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/i/ishtob.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ishtob"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ishtob" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/i/ish-tob--a_small_state_of_aram.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ish-Tob: A Small State of Aram"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ish-Tob: A Small State of Aram" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>