Shittim

Shittim, also called Abel-shittim, the final Israelite encampment before entering Canaan.

Shittim, also known as Abel-shittim, was the last campsite of the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan River to enter Canaan. It was located in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan and opposite Jericho (Numbers 33:49). At Shittim, the Israelites fell into sin with the Moabite women and worshipped the Moabite god Baal of Peor, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 people (Numbers 25:1-9). It was also from Shittim that Joshua sent two spies to investigate Jericho (Joshua 2:1) and where the Israelites camped before crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:1). The prophet Micah later recalled the events at Shittim, from Balaam to the crossing of the Jordan, as evidence of God's righteous acts toward Israel (Micah 6:5).

Acacias, also called “Abel-shittim” (Num. 33:49), a plain or valley in the land of Moab where the Israelites were encamped after their two victories over Sihon and Og, at the close of their desert wanderings, and from which Joshua sent forth two spies (q.v.) “secretly” to “view” the land and Jericho (Josh. 2:1).