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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: Telem</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/telem.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/joshua/15-24.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/t/telem.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> > Telem</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/t/telekinesis.htm" title="Telekinesis">◄</a> Telem <a href="/topical/naves/t/telem--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm" title="Telem: A City of the Tribe of Judah">►</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="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</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>Biblical References:</b><br>Telem is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua and the Book of 1 Samuel. The references to Telem are brief, yet they provide insight into the geographical and tribal landscape of ancient Israel.<br><br>1. <b><a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24</a></b> · "Ziph, Telem, Bealoth," . In this passage, Telem is listed as one of the towns in the southern part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This allocation is part of the broader division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua. The mention of Telem here situates it within the Negev region, a semi-arid area that was part of Judah's inheritance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm">1 Samuel 15:4</a></b> · "So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah." . While the Berean Standard Bible uses "Telaim," some translations and interpretations consider this to be a reference to Telem. In this context, Telaim is the location where King Saul mustered his army before his campaign against the Amalekites, as commanded by God through the prophet Samuel. This event underscores the strategic importance of the region and its role in Israel's military history.<br><br><b>Historical and Geographical Context:</b><br>Telem, as part of the Negev, was situated in a region characterized by its arid climate and rugged terrain. The Negev served as a buffer zone between the settled areas of Judah and the desert lands to the south. This location made it significant for both defense and trade, as it lay along routes connecting the interior of Israel with the Sinai Peninsula and beyond.<br><br>The town's inclusion in the tribal allotment of Judah highlights the tribe's extensive territory, which encompassed a diverse range of landscapes from fertile valleys to desert expanses. The strategic positioning of towns like Telem would have been crucial for maintaining control over the southern borders of Judah and for facilitating communication and movement within the tribe's domain.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br>From a theological perspective, the mention of Telem in the context of the tribal allotments in Joshua underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness in delivering the land He promised to His people.<br><br>In 1 Samuel, the reference to Telaim (potentially Telem) in the narrative of Saul's campaign against the Amalekites serves as a backdrop to a significant moment in Israel's history. Saul's failure to fully obey God's command during this campaign ultimately leads to his rejection as king. This event highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.<br><br><b>Archaeological Insights:</b><br>While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Telem has not been conclusively found, the broader region of the Negev has been the subject of extensive archaeological study. Discoveries in the area have provided valuable insights into the lifestyle, trade, and military activities of ancient Israelite society. The presence of fortifications, agricultural installations, and trade routes in the Negev supports the biblical portrayal of the region as a vital part of Judah's territory.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b><br>Telem, though briefly mentioned in the biblical text, plays a role in illustrating the geographical and historical context of ancient Israel. Its inclusion in the tribal allotments and its potential connection to significant events in Israel's history reflect the broader themes of God's providence and the importance of faithfulness to His commands.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Telem</span><p>their dew; their shadow<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Telem</span><p>(<i>oppression</i>). <ol> <li>One of the cities in the extreme south of Judah, (<a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24</a>) probably the same as Telaim. The name <i>Dhullam</i> is found in Van Deuteronomy Velde's map, attached to a district immediately to the north of the <i>Kubbet el-Baul</i> , south of <i>el Milh</i> and <i>Ararah</i> --a position very suitable.</li> <li>A porter or doorkeeper of the temple in the time of Ezra. (<a href="/ezra/10-24.htm">Ezra 10:24</a>) He is probably the same as <a href="../t/talmon.htm">TALMON</a> in (<a href="/nehemiah/12-25.htm">Nehemiah 12:25</a>)</li> </ol><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Oppression. <p>(1.) A porter of the temple in the time of Ezra (<a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">10:24</a>).<p>(2.) A town in the southern border of Judah (<a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24</a>); probably the same as Telaim. <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">TELEM (1)</span><p>te'-lem (Telem; Telem): A city in the Negeb "toward the border of Edom," belonging to Judah (<a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24</a>). In Septuagint of <a href="/2_samuel/3-12.htm">2 Samuel 3:12</a> Abner is said to send messengers to David at Thelam (Thailam); this would seem to be the same place and also to be identical with the Telaim and Telam of Saul (see TELAIM). It is probably the same as the Talmia of the Talmud (Neubauer, Geog. du Talmud, 121). The site has not been recovered.<p><span class="encheading">TELEM (2)</span><p>(Telem; Septuagint Codex Vaticanus Telem; Codex Alexandrinus Tellem): One of three "porters" who had married foreign wives (<a href="/ezra/10-24.htm">Ezra 10:24</a>), his name appearing as "Tolbanes" in 1 Esdras 9:25; perhaps the same as TALMON (which see).<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/2928.htm"><span class="l">2928. <b>Telem</b> -- an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2927, 2928. <b>Telem</b>. 2929 . an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah.<br> Transliteration: <b>Telem</b> Phonetic Spelling: (teh'-lem) Short Definition: <b>Telem</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/2928.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/8525.htm"><span class="l">8525. <b>telem</b> -- a furrow</span></a><br><b>...</b> 8524, 8525. <b>telem</b>. 8526 . a furrow. Transliteration: <b>telem</b> Phonetic Spelling:<br> (teh'-lem) Short Definition: furrows. <b>...</b> 8524, 8525. <b>telem</b>. 8526 . <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/8525.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/8526.htm"><span class="l">8526. Talmay -- "plowman," a father-in-law of David, also a <b>...</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from the same as <b>telem</b> Definition "plowman," a father-in-law of David,<br> also a desc. of Anak NASB Word Usage Talmai (6). Talmai. <b>...</b> see HEBREW <b>telem</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/8526.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/sherman/the_childrens_bible/making_the_best_of_trouble.htm"><span class="l">Making the Best of Trouble</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and his men went up and made a raid upon the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the<br> Amalekites; for these tribes live in the land which extends from <b>Telem</b> to the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sherman/the childrens bible/making the best of trouble.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/t/telem.htm"><span class="l"><b>Telem</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>TELEM</b> (1). te'-lem (<b>Telem</b>; <b>Telem</b>): A city in the Negeb<br> "toward the border of Edom," belonging to Judah (Joshua 15:24). <b>...</b><b>TELEM</b> (2). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/telem.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/telaim.htm"><span class="l">Telaim (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Easton's Bible Dictionary Young lambs, a place at which Saul gathered his army to<br> fight against Amalek (1 Samuel 15:4); probably the same as <b>Telem</b> (2). Int. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/telaim.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/ziph.htm"><span class="l">Ziph (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance Ziph (9 Occurrences). Joshua 15:24 Ziph, <b>Telem</b>,<br> Bealoth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/ziph.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/u/uri.htm"><span class="l">Uri (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Ezra 10:24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the porters: Shallum, and <b>Telem</b>,<br> and Uri. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/uri.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/furrow.htm"><span class="l">Furrow (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> fur'-o (<b>telem</b>): The word is translated "furrows" in Job 39:10; Job 31:38 Psalm<br> 65:10 Hosea 10:4; Hosea 12:11 (Psalm 65:10 the King James Version, "ridges"). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/furrow.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tolbanes.htm"><span class="l">Tolbanes</span></a><br><b>...</b> tol'-ba-nez, tol-ba'-nez (Tolbanes): One of the porters who had taken foreign wives<br> (1 Esdras 9:25) = "<b>Telem</b>" of Ezra 10:24; perhaps identical with the porter <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tolbanes.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/telharesha.htm"><span class="l">Telharesha (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/telharesha.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tel-assar.htm"><span class="l">Tel-assar (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Tel-assar. Telassar, Tel-assar. <b>Telem</b> . Multi-Version Concordance Tel-assar<br> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b> (See RSV). Telassar, Tel-assar. <b>Telem</b> . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tel-assar.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/eli'ashib.htm"><span class="l">Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the captivity. (See RSV). Ezra 10:24 And of the singers: Eliashib; and of<br> the porters: Shallum, and <b>Telem</b>, and Uri. (See RSV). Ezra <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/eli'ashib.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/eliashib.htm"><span class="l">Eliashib (15 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> NIV). Ezra 10:24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the porters: Shallum, and<br><b>Telem</b>, and Uri. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/eliashib.htm - 13k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><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">Telem (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24</a></span><br />Ziph, <span class="boldtext">Telem</span>, Bealoth,<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezra/10-24.htm">Ezra 10:24</a></span><br />Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the porters: Shallum, and <span class="boldtext">Telem</span>, and Uri.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/telem.htm">Telem</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/telem--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm">Telem: A City of the Tribe of Judah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/t/telem--a_porter_who_divorced_his_gentile_wife.htm">Telem: A Porter Who Divorced his Gentile Wife</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/telepathy.htm">Telepathy</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/telaim.htm">Telaim (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/ziph.htm">Ziph (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/uri.htm">Uri (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/furrow.htm">Furrow (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tolbanes.htm">Tolbanes</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/telharesha.htm">Telharesha (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tel-assar.htm">Tel-assar (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eli'ashib.htm">Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eliashib.htm">Eliashib (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/music-makers.htm">Music-makers (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/be-a'loth.htm">Be-a'loth (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bealoth.htm">Bealoth (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/door-keepers.htm">Door-keepers (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/doorkeepers.htm">Doorkeepers (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/porters.htm">Porters (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gatekeepers.htm">Gatekeepers (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/singers.htm">Singers (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shallum.htm">Shallum (27 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/telekinesis.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Telekinesis"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Telekinesis" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/t/telem--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Telem: A City of the Tribe of Judah"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Telem: A City of the Tribe of Judah" /></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>