Bible Dictionary
SHAALBIM
Shaalbim was a town associated with Dan and later with the administrative district of Solomon. It was probably the same place as Shaalabbin or Shaalbon, though its exact location is uncertain.
Definition
Shaalbim was a town associated with Dan and later included in Solomon’s administrative district. It is probably another name for Shaalabbin and may also be connected with Shaalbon, the home designation of one of David’s mighty men.
Biblical Usage
The Amorites occupied Shaalbim after forcing the Danites into the mountain, and the inhabitants became tributary to the house of Joseph. In Solomon’s reign the town belonged to the district governed by Ben-deker.
Historical Background
Its identification is uncertain. Eusebius associated it with Salaba, while Conder proposed Selbit near Aijalon and Beth-shemesh. The latter location fits geographically, though the form of the name presents difficulty.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sha-al'-bim (sha`albim; Codex Vaticanus Bethalamei; Codex Alexandrinus Salabeim, in Joshua, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Thalabeim): When the Amorites had forced the children of Da into the mountain they came and dwelt in Mt. Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim, where, it appears, they were made tributary to the house of Joseph (Jud 1:35). In the time of Solomon it was included in the administrative district presided over by Ben-deker, along with Makaz, Beth-shemesh and Elon-beth-hanan (1Ki 4:9). Beth-shemesh is the same as Ir-shemesh (Jos 19:42). Shaalbim is probably only another name of Shaalabbin. One of David's mighty men is called Eliahba the Shaalbonite. This presumes the existence of a town called Shaalbon (2Sa 23:32; 1Ch 11:33), which again is probably identical with Shaalbim. Eusebius (in Onomasticon) identifies it with Salaba, a large village in the district of Sebaste (Samaria), which apparently Eusebius and Jerome thought to be in the territory of Dan. It seems, however, too far to the North. Jerome in his commentary on Eze 48 speaks of the towers of Aijalon and Selebi and Emmaus. Conder would identify Selebi with Selbit, 3 miles Northwest of Aijalon (Yalo), and 8 miles North of Bethshemesh. This would suit for Shaalbim, as far as position is concerned; but it is difficult to account for the heavy "T" (Hebrew letter Tet) in the name, if derived from Shaalbim.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>