Thebez

THEBEZ (thē'bĕz, Heb. tēvēts). A city in the tribe of Ephraim about halfway from Beth Shan to Shechem. It is mentioned only in connection with the death of Abimelech, son of Gideon, who wanted to be king (Judg.9.50; 2Sam.11.21). Abimelech had taken the city except for a central tower, from the top of which a woman dropped a millstone on him, causing his death. It is now called Tubas.

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THEBEZ thē’ bĭz (תֵּבֵ֑ץ). A fortified town in the territory of Manasseh, about ten m. NE of Nablus, on the main highway to Bethshan. The geographical location afforded military significance while the fertile valley provided commercial value. Abimelech, son of Gideon, met his death here when a woman fatally wounded him by throwing an upper millstone from a tower on the wall of the city (Judg 9:50). The attack upon Thebez is described in connection with the attack upon Shechem, suggesting that the revolt against Abimelech by the men of Shechem initiated the revolt by the men of Thebez. The ignominious death of Abimelech became proverbial in Israel. Joab referred to the incident in his report to David on the death of Uriah (2 Sam 11:21).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

A city in Mt. Ephraim which refused submission to Abimelech when he set up as king of Israel. After the reduction of Shechem he turned his arms against Thebez. There was a strong tower within the city--the citadel--into which all the inhabitants gathered for safety, climbing onto the roof of the tower. Abimelech incautiously venturing near the tower, a woman cast an upper millstone upon his head and broke his skull. Fearing the shame of perishing by the hand of a woman, he persuaded his armor-bearer to thrust him through (Jud 9:50 ). The incident is alluded to in 2Sa 11:21. Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 13 Roman miles from Neapolis (Nablus) on the road to Scythopolis (Beisan). There is no doubt that it is represented by Tubas. This is a village situated in a district of considerable fertility, about 10 miles from Nablus. There are many olive trees. The rain is captured and led to rockcut cisterns, whence the village draws its water-supply. According to the Samaritans the tomb of Neby Toba marks the grave of the patriarch Asher.