Eshtaol

ESHTAOL (ĕsh'tā-ŏl, Heb. ’eshtā’ôl). A town in the lowlands of Judah on its border with Dan (Josh.15.33; Josh.19.41). In the Book of Judges it is always mentioned with Zorah. Samson, as he grew up, began to be moved by the Spirit of the Lord at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol (Judg.3.25). He was buried there (Judg.16.31). The Danites sent out five brave men from Zorah and Eshtaol to look for an area where the tribe could have additional living space. After discovering the city of Laish, they returned to these cities and gave a favorable report. Then six hundred armed men set forth out of Zorah and Eshtaol to go and conquer Laish (Judg.18.2, Judg.18.8, Judg.18.11).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

(’eshta’ol; Astaol):

A town in the Shephelah of Judah named next to Zorah (Jos 15:33; 19:41). Between these two cities lay Mahaneh-dan (the camp of Dan) where the Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson (Jud 13:25), and where he was buried (Jud 16:31). A contingent from Eshtaol formed part of the 600 Danites who captured Laish (Jud 18:2,11).

It is probably represented by the modern Ashu`a, about a mile and a half East of Zorah, the modern Car`ah.