Eglath-shelishiyah occurs in prophetic judgments against Moab. It may be a place-name, though it has also been understood as “a heifer three years old”; its identification is uncertain.
Definition
Eglath-shelishiyah is a disputed expression occurring in prophetic oracles against Moab. It may be a place-name, or it may mean “a heifer three years old.” No probable identification has been established. If understood as a place-name, the term is associated with the strong cities of Zoar and Horonaim; if understood figuratively, it describes them as an unbroken heifer.
Biblical Usage
The expression appears in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:34, both in judgments against Moab. The King James Version translates it as “a heifer of three years old,” while the Revised Version treats it as a place-name, with the American Revised Version margin retaining the alternative translation.
Historical Background
The majority of scholars take Eglath-shelishiyah as a place-name, though some understand it as “the third Eglath,” suggesting three towns of that name. No certain site has been identified.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>eg'-lath-shel-i-shi'-ya (`eghlath shelishiyah):</p><p>Found in Isa 15:5; Jer 48:34 (Hebrew) in oracles against Moab. the King James Version translates "an heifer of three years old"; the Revised Version (British and American) takes it as the name of a place, but the American Revised Version, margin has "a heifer three years old," according to Septuagint. In the former case strong and unconquered cities, Zoar and Horonaim, are compared to the heifer not yet broken to the yoke. Such use of "heifer" is not infrequent (compare Jer 46:20; Ho 10:11, etc.). The majority of scholars, however, take it as a place-name. Some would read "the third Eglath," as if there were three towns of that name. No probable identification has been suggested.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>
