Eshthemoa; as-Samu῾a Complete

Description

Excavations conducted in the 1930s under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem revealed the remains of a synagogue, which constitute the site’s chief monument. Written sources illuminate its earlier history: the biblical account assigns the town to Levitical administration (Jos. 21.14), and Eusebius notes the presence of a sizeable Jewish community there as late as the fourth century (Onom. 26.11; 86.20). Eshtemoa occupies a position on the southern slopes of the Judean Hills, adjacent to the Arab village of es-Samu'. Further reading: CIIP IV 3868–3869 Yeivin, Z. 1993. “Eshtemoa,” in The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, 423–426.