- 38-
- It is at least doubtful whether these cliffs are identical with the Akrabbim, or "scorpion-
stairs," of Numbers 34:4; Joshua 15:3; Judges 1:36.
** At present the part south of the bounding ridge of chalk-hills bears specially the name,
Arabah. Our description of the country is based chiefly on Robinson's Bibl. Res. ii:pp.
121 -173; Badeker-Socin's Pal., p. 181, etc., notices in other works (so far as accessible)
being also taken into consideration, Riehm's Hand-Worterb. gives, as generally, a very
good, albeit brief, summary of information.
The "salt valley" itself formed the southern boundary of Judaea towards Edom. In its
western and central parts it is wholly desolate, the clay soil being often flooded by the
Dead Sea, and even the watercourses which traverse it being impregnated with the salt
which encrusts the district. It is otherwise as regards the southern part of the valley, and
especially the eastern, which is covered with vegetation, and where we still trace the sites
of ancient towns.* Here indeed we have an oasis that formed the ancient boundary
between Edom and Moab.
- Comp. here also Tristram, Land of Moab, chapters iii. and iv. passim.
In this "salt valley" had Joab, or rather Abishai, his brother, defeated Edom in the time of
David (2 Samuel 8:13; 1 Chronicles 18:12, etc.), and here again did the Edomite army
encounter the host of Amaziah. Although we know not the precise spot where the battle
was fought, we may well suppose that it was in the southern part of the valley. The
Edomites were within their own territory; their retreat would not be difficult, and, owing
to the surrounding heights, comparatively safe. On the other hand, if the Judaean army
had been beaten, it is not easy to imagine how any considerable remnant could have
escaped, either by crossing the treacherous "valley," or by skirting it. Nevertheless the
Edomite army was defeated, with a slaughter of 10,000 men, and the capture of other ten
thousand.*
- We regard these as "round numbers."
The account in the Book of Kings (2 Kings 14:7) adds that the victorious Jewish army
marched on to Sela, or Petra, where, according to 2 Chronicles 25:12, the wretched
prisoners were "cast down from the height of Sela." Needless objection has been taken to
the transport of prisoners over what is sometimes described as so long and difficult a
journey.
Chiefly for this reason, the localization of the "Valley of Salt" has also been called in
question. But if we suppose the battlefield to have been the southern part of the valley,
these objections are removed. And obviously it would be the policy of the victorious
army to penetrate into the heart of the conquered country, take its capital, and by an
act of terrible vengeance to strike terror into the people.
(^)