Tekoa
Tekoah (tek-o'-ah, Hebrew: תְּק֫וֹעַ)[1] is a modern-day city in Israel, most notably an ancient Judean city mentioned several times throughout the Bible. The city of Tekoa is east of the Dead Sea, with a population of 3,671 in 2015.[2]
Etymology
The name Tekoa derives from and is identifical to the Hebrew word for trumpet, תקוע (taqoa).[3] This fact likely inspired the verse from the Book of Jeremiah, "... Now blow a trumpet in Tekoa..." (Jeremiah 6:1).
Modern Settlement
The city of Tekoa was re-settled in 1975, and in 2015 had a population of over 3,600 residents.[4] The modern settlement is both Israeli and Jewish. In 2001, two young Israeli boys were killed by Palestinian militants.[5][6]
Biblical Texts
The ancient Judean city is mentioned a few times throughout the Bible. According to the Book of Nehemiah, the people of Tekoa are known as Tekoites.[7] Some of the biblical passages that include a reference to Tekoa include the following;
Jeremiah 6:1: “Flee for safety, O sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem! Now blow a trumpet in Tekoa And raise a signal over Beth-haccerem; For evil looks down from the north, And a great destruction.
2 Chronicles 20:20: They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”
2 Samuel 14:2: So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;
References
