On the eastern side of Jordan, between the river and the high tableland which they had been traversing, was also a plain, several miles in width and extending some distance along the river. This sheltered valley had the climate of the tropics; here flourished the shittim, or acacia, tree, giving to the plain the name, "Vale of Shittim." It was here that the Israelites encamped, and in the acacia groves by the riverside they found an agreeable retreat.

På østsiden af Jordan var der også en slette. Den afgrænsedes af floden og den højslette, som de var rejst hen over. Den var mange kilometer bred og fulgte floden et langt stykke. Denne hegnede dal havde tropeklima. Her voksede sjittimeller akacietræet, efter hvilket sletten blev kaldt "Sjittims dal". Her slog israelitterne lejr, og i akacielundene langs floden fandt de et behageligt fristed.