Lexical Definition

‎שְׁפֵלָה‎ shᵉphêlâh (shef-ay-law') Shephelah ^N:N--L
from ‎שָׁפֵל‎

low country, (low) plain, vale(-ley).

• Lowland, i.e. (with the article) the maritime slope of Palestine

1) lowland, valley
1a) lowland
1a1) strip west of Judean mountains (technical term)
1a1a) the Shephelah
1a2) strip near coast north of Carmel

See Greek: πεδινός · πεδινός · πεδινός

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎שְׁפֵלָה‎ noun feminine lowland; — always absolute ‎׳‎‎שׁ‎ with article, except suffix ‎שְׁפֵלָתֹה‎ Josh 11:16 — lowland:

1. usually technical term of strip west of Judaean mountains (on exact limits see GASm^{Geogr. 201 ff.; Expos. Dec. 1896, 404 f.} Buhl^{Geogr. 104} Dr^{Hast. DB iii. 892 f.}): almost always distinguished from ‎הָהָר‎ and ‎הַנֶּגֶב‎, sometimes from ‎הָעֲרָבָה‎, in Deut 1:7; Josh 9:1 (R^D), also from ‎חוֺף הַיָּם‎, compare Josh 10:40; Josh 12:8 (both R^D), Judg 1:9 (perhaps R^D, compare Bu GFM), Josh 15:33 (P), Jer 17:26; Jer 32:44; Jer 33:13; Obad 1:19; Zech 7:7; 2Chr 26:10 (distinguished from ‎הַמִּישׁוֺר‎, table-land east of Jordan); region of sycomores 1Kgs 10:27 = 2Chr 1:15; 2Chr 9:27; 1Chr 27:28.

2. of lowland (near coast) north of Carmel Josh 11:2 west of mountains of Ephraim vJosh 11:16 (both R^D).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Shephelah • Lowland region between Judean hills and coastal plain

The Shephelah was the lowland region between the Judean hills and the coastal plain, known for its fertile valleys and strategic importance (Deut. 1:7; Josh. 9:1; 10:40; 11:2, 16; 12:8; 15:33; Judg. 1:9; 1 Ki. 10:27; 1 Chr. 27:28; 2 Chr. 1:15; 9:27; 26:10; 28:18; Jer. 17:26; 32:44; 33:13; Obad. 1:19; Zech. 7:7).

• A location first mentioned at Deu.1.7;
• only referred to as Shephelah שְׁפֵלָה.
  

The Shephelah, meaning "lowland" in Hebrew, refers to the fertile foothills and valleys located between the Judean hills and the coastal plain of Israel. This region is mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament, often in the context of military campaigns, agricultural abundance, and territorial allotment.

The Shephelah was known for its strategic importance, as it served as a natural buffer between the hill country of Judah and the Philistine cities along the coast. During the conquest of Canaan, Joshua and the Israelites fought against the kings of the Shephelah (Josh. 9:1; 10:40; 11:2, 16; 12:8). The region was allotted to the tribes of Judah and Dan (Josh. 15:33; Judg. 1:9).

The Shephelah was renowned for its fertility and agricultural productivity. It was a region where wheat, barley, grapes, and olives were cultivated (1 Chr. 27:28; 2 Chr. 26:10). The abundance of sycamore and cedar trees in the Shephelah was compared to the abundance of stones during Solomon's reign (1 Ki. 10:27; 2 Chr. 1:15; 9:27).

The prophets Jeremiah and Zechariah mention the Shephelah in their prophecies, highlighting its importance and the restoration of its cities and villages (Jer. 17:26; 32:44; 33:13; Zech. 7:7). The prophet Obadiah also foretells that the people of the Shephelah will possess the fields of Ephraim and Samaria (Obad. 1:19).

The Shephelah played a significant role in the history of ancient Israel, serving as a region of strategic, agricultural, and prophetic importance. Its fertile valleys and proximity to major trade routes made it a valuable and contested area throughout the biblical period.

All entries for Shephelah: שְׁפֵלָה