What was Eshtaulites?

The Eshtaulites were the inhabitants or descendants of the town of Eshtaol, a locality in the territory of the tribe of Dan, later associated with the tribe of Judah. The Hebrew word for Eshtaulites is אֶשְׁתָּאֹלִי (Eshta’oli), derived from אֶשְׁתָּאוֹל (Eshta’ol), which may mean “to entreat” or “a place of supplication.” The term “Eshtaulites” is a collective ethnonym used to refer to the people who lived in or came from Eshtaol.

The Eshtaulites are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:53:

“The clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. From these came the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.” (NIV)

This passage traces the genealogical background of various groups associated with the region of Judah. Though Eshtaol was originally within the allotment of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:41), it was later also associated with Judah (Joshua 15:33), possibly because of shifting tribal boundaries or the military actions of the tribe of Dan.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Joshua 15:33 – Eshtaol listed among the towns in the low hill country of Judah.

• Joshua 19:41 – Eshtaol listed among the tribal allotments of Dan.

• Judges 13:25 – Eshtaol mentioned in relation to Samson’s early life.

• Judges 18:2, 8, 11 – Eshtaol as the launching point for the Danite spies and warriors.

• 1 Chronicles 2:53 – Mentions the Eshtaulites as descendants of clans from Kiriath Jearim.

The town of Eshtaol became a key location in Danite identity and movement, as seen in Judges 18 when Danite scouts and later 600 armed men departed from Eshtaol to seek and seize land.

What Happened in the Bible?

Eshtaol was a strategic town located near the border of Dan and Judah. It appears frequently in the story of Samson, who was from the tribe of Dan. According to Judges 13:25, “The Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.” Eshtaol was therefore part of the geographical context of Samson’s call and rise as a judge of Israel.

Additionally, in Judges 18, Danite spies were sent out from Eshtaol to scout for territory because their tribe had not fully secured their inheritance. The spies found the isolated city of Laish in the far north and later returned with 600 warriors to capture it, renaming it Dan. This military expedition began and ended in Eshtaol (Judges 18:2, 8, 11).

The genealogical note in 1 Chronicles 2:53 ties the Eshtaulites to Judah through their connection to clans originating from Kiriath Jearim. This reinforces the complex tribal and territorial associations in early Israel, especially in border regions like Eshtaol.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

The mention of the Eshtaulites may seem obscure, but it reveals God‘s providential shaping of Israel’s geography, tribes, and leaders. Even small towns and lesser-known people groups played roles in the unfolding story of redemption. Eshtaol was the site of spiritual stirring (Samson) and strategic planning (the Danites‘ conquest). In both cases, God‘s hand was directing history.

For Christians today, the Eshtaulites remind us that no place or person is too small to be used by God. Whether in the shaping of a judge like Samson or in the broader migrations of tribes seeking their inheritance, God is sovereign over boundaries, identities, and destinies.

How Their Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

Though the Eshtaulites themselves do not appear directly in messianic prophecy, their territory and associations contribute to the redemptive narrative. From Eshtaol came Samson, a flawed deliverer who prefigures the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Samson’s calling began in Eshtaol, symbolizing how God raises up saviors from unlikely places and for divine purposes.

Furthermore, the broader region of Judah—linked through genealogy to the Eshtaulites—was the tribe from which Jesus the Messiah came (Matthew 1:1-16; Hebrews 7:14). The small, peripheral towns of the Old Testament contributed to the lineage and geography of the Savior’s arrival. This emphasizes that the gospel does not emerge from power or prominence, but often from obscurity and faithful obedience.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God Uses the Small and Unseen

Eshtaol was not a major city, yet it was central to important events. This reflects the biblical theme that God often chooses the humble and overlooked to accomplish His will (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

2. Tribal Identity and the Promised Land

The shifting associations of Eshtaol between Dan and Judah show how the land was contested, but also how God’s purposes remained intact despite human failures and boundaries.

3. Foreshadowing the True Deliverer

Samson’s flawed leadership points to the need for a better Judge—Jesus. The narrative from Eshtaol to Laish to Dan shows human attempts at security, but ultimately it is Christ who secures our eternal inheritance.

4. Divine Stirring and Calling

God’s Spirit began to stir Samson at Eshtaol. This is a picture of divine calling and preparation. In the New Testament, the Spirit similarly stirs and calls believers to mission and holiness (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14).

Reflection Questions

1. How does the story of a small group like the Eshtaulites help you appreciate the hidden parts of God’s redemptive plan?

2. Have you experienced God “stirring” your heart as He did with Samson? What does that calling look like today?

3. In what ways do the obscure or forgotten parts of the Bible enrich your understanding of God’s sovereignty?

4. How can you remain faithful in the “small” places where God has placed you, like Eshtaol was to its people?

5. What lessons can we learn from the Danites’ desire for land and Samson’s early life that point us to a greater dependence on Christ?

The Eshtaulites may be a footnote in Scripture, but they are a reminder that every tribe, clan, and place is known by God and woven into His eternal plan.