Reference: Gilgal
American
A rolling,
1. A celebrated place between the Jordan and Jericho, where the Israelites first encamped, after the passage of that river; where also they were circumcised, and kept their first Passover in Canaan, Jos 4:19; 5:9-10. It continued to be the headquarters of the Israelites for several years, while Joshua was occupied in subduing the land, Jos 9:6; 10:6,15,43. A considerable city was afterwards built there, Jos 15:7, which became famous for many events. Here the tabernacle rested, until its removal to Shiloh; here also, according to the prevalent opinion, Samuel offered sacrifices, and held his court as a judge of Israel; and here Saul was crowned, 1Sa 7:16; 10:8; 11:15; 1Sa 13:7-9; 15:33. A school of the prophets was established, 2Ki 4:38; and yet it afterwards appears to have become a seat of idolatry, Ho 4:15; 9:15; 12:11; Am 4:4; 5:5. At this day, no traces of it are found. According to Josephus, it lay within two miles of Jericho.
2. Another Gilgol lay near Antipatris, Jos 12:23; Ne 12:29. And perhaps a third in the mountains of Ephraim, north of Bethel, De 11:30; 2Ki 2:1-6. There are not wanting those who would make the Gilgal near Antipatris the seat of Samuel's judgeship, and of one of the schools of the prophets.
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which are on the other side Jordan on the back side of the way toward the going down of the son in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the fields over against Gilgal beside Moreh grove.
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho.
And the LORD said unto Joshua, "This day I have taken away the shame of Egypt from you": and called the name of the same place Gilgal unto this day. And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho.
And they came unto Joshua, unto the host to Gilgal, and said unto him and unto the men of Israel, "We be come from a far country, now therefore make agreement with us."
But the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua unto the host to Gilgal, saying, "Withdraw not thy hands from thy servants, but come up to us: for all the kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us."
And then went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going up to Adummim, which is of the south side of the River. And then went along to the water of Enshemesh, and ended at the well of Rogel.
and went about year by year, to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places, and came again to Ramah:
And thou shalt also go before me to Gilgal. And behold, I will come unto thee to sacrifice burnt sacrifice and peace offerings. Tarry for me seven days till I come to thee and show thee what thou shalt do."
And the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king there, before the LORD in Gilgal. And there they offered peace offerings before the LORD. And there Saul and all the people rejoiced exceedingly.
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
and from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages about Jerusalem.
Though thou, Israel, are disposed to play the harlot, yet shouldest not thou have offended, O Judah. Thou shouldest not have run to Gilgal, nor gone up to Bethaven, nor have sworn, 'The LORD liveth.'
All their wickedness is done at Gilgal, there do I abhor them. For the ungraciousness of their own inventions, I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more, for all their princes are unfaithful.
But at Gilead is the abomination, they are fallen to vanity. At Gilgal they have slain oxen: and as many heaps of stones as they had in their land furrows, so many altars have they made.
'Ye came to Bethel for to work ungraciousness, and have increased your sins at Gilgal: ye brought your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes unto the third day.
but seek not after Bethel. come not at Gilgal, and go not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall be carried away captive, and Bethel shall come to naught.
Easton
rolling. (1.) From the solemn transaction of the reading of the law in the valley of Shechem between Ebal and Gerizim the Israelites moved forward to Gilgal, and there made a permanent camp (Jos 9:6; 10:6). It was "beside the oaks of Moreh," near which Abraham erected his first altar (Ge 12:6-7). This was one of the three towns to which Samuel resorted for the administration of justice (1Sa 7:16), and here also he offered sacrifices when the ark was no longer in the tabernacle at Shiloh (1Sa 10:8; 13:7-9). To this place, as to a central sanctuary, all Israel gathered to renew their allegiance to Saul (1Sa 11:14). At a later period it became the scene of idolatrous worship (Ho 4:15; 9:15). It has been identified with the ruins of Jiljilieh, about 5 miles south-west of Shiloh and about the same distance from Bethel.
(2.) The place in "the plains of Jericho," "in the east border of Jericho," where the Israelites first encamped after crossing the Jordan (Jos 4:19-20). Here they kept their first Passover in the land of Canaan (Jos 5:10) and renewed the rite of circumcision, and so "rolled away the reproach" of their Egyptian slavery. Here the twelve memorial stones, taken from the bed of the Jordan, were set up; and here also the tabernacle remained till it was removed to Shiloh (Jos 18:1). It has been identified with Tell Jiljulieh, about 5 miles from Jordan.
(3.) A place, probably in the hill country of Ephraim, where there was a school of the prophets (2Ki 4:38), and whence Elijah and Elisha, who resided here, "went down" to Bethel (2Ki 2:1-2). It is mentioned also in DE 11:30. It is now known as Jiljilia, a place 8 miles north of Bethel.
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Abram went forth into the land till he came unto a place called Shechem, and unto the oak of Moreh. And the Cananites dwelled then in the land. Then the LORD appeared unto Abram and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." And he built an altar there unto the LORD which appeared to him.
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, Joshua pitched in Gilgal.
And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho.
And they came unto Joshua, unto the host to Gilgal, and said unto him and unto the men of Israel, "We be come from a far country, now therefore make agreement with us."
But the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua unto the host to Gilgal, saying, "Withdraw not thy hands from thy servants, but come up to us: for all the kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us."
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel came together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of witness there, and the land was in subjection before them.
and went about year by year, to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places, and came again to Ramah:
And thou shalt also go before me to Gilgal. And behold, I will come unto thee to sacrifice burnt sacrifice and peace offerings. Tarry for me seven days till I come to thee and show thee what thou shalt do."
Then said Samuel unto the people, "Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."
And the Hebrews went over Jordan unto the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul was yet in Gilgal, and all the people that followed him were astonished. And he tarried seven days, as Samuel had appointed. But Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people scattered from him. read more. Wherefore Saul said, "Bring burnt sacrifice to me and peace offerings." And he offered burnt sacrifice.
And it chanced that the LORD was minded to take up Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were going from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And when they came to Bethel,
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
Though thou, Israel, are disposed to play the harlot, yet shouldest not thou have offended, O Judah. Thou shouldest not have run to Gilgal, nor gone up to Bethaven, nor have sworn, 'The LORD liveth.'
All their wickedness is done at Gilgal, there do I abhor them. For the ungraciousness of their own inventions, I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more, for all their princes are unfaithful.
Fausets
1. Hebrew: "the Gilgal," i.e. rolling. Israel's first encampment W. of Jordan (five miles) where they passed their first night after crossing, and set up the twelve stones taken from the river bed (Jos 4:3,19-20). Here they kept the first Passoverin Canaan (Jos 5:10). On arising ground ("hill," Jos 5:3,9) in the hot sunken Ghor between Jericho and the Jordan, one mile and a half E. of Jericho; five miles and a half W. of Jordan (Josephus, Ant. 5:1, 4, 11). On the N. side of wady Kelt, one mile and a third from the tower of modern Jericho (Eriha); toward the E. is a tamarisk, "Shejaret el Ithleh," which tradition makes the site of "the city of brass," whose walls fell on their besiegers marching round them. A pool is 150 yards S.E. of the tree, such as Israel would need in their long encampment at Gilgal; it is built with well packed pebbles without cement.
S.E. of this are twelve or more small mounds, Tell ayla't Jiljulieh, eight or ten ft. diameter, and three or four high, possibly remains of Israel's camp (Conder, Palestine Exploration). The distances stated by Josephus accord with this site. The Israelites born in the wilderness were here circumcised with stone knives (Jos 5:2 margin; Ex 4:25), which "rolling" away of the reproach of uncircumcision gave the name. The sons under 20 years, when at Kadesh in the second year of the wilderness journey the murmuring nation was rejected (Numbers 14), had been already circumcised; those born subsequently needed circumcision. As God abrogated at Kadesh the covenant, the sons of the rejected generation were not to receive the covenant rite. The manna and pillar of cloud were not withdrawn, because God would sustain the rising generation with the prospect of the ban being removed, and of the covenant temporarily suspended being renewed.
The sentence was exhausted when they crossed the Zered and entered the Amorites' land (De 2:14; Nu 21:12-13), when all the sentenced generation was dead (Nu 26:63-65). Moses, himself under sentence to die, did not venture on the steppes of Moab to direct the circumcision of the younger generation without Jehovah's command. And the rule of divine grace is first to give, then to require; so first He showed His grace to Abraham by leading him to Canaan and giving the promises, then enjoined circumcision; also He did not give the law to Israel at Sinai until first He had redeemed them from Egypt, and thereby made them willing to promise obedience. So now He did not require the renewal of circumcision, the covenant sign of subjection to the law (Ga 5:3), until He had first showed His grace in giving them victory over Og and Sihon, and in making a way through Jordan, a pledge that He would fulfill all His promises and finally give them the whole land.
The circumcision was performed the day after crossing Jordan, i.e. the 11th day of the first month (Ga 4:19). The Passover was kept on the 14th (verse 10). The objection that all could not have been circumcised in one day is futile. For the males in Israel at the census in Moab shortly before were 601,730 upward of 20 years old, besides 23,000 Levites of a month old and upward; at the outside all the males would be less than one million. Of these about 300,000 were 38 years old, therefore born before the census at Kadesh and circumcised already; so that only 600,000 would remain to be circumcised. The uncircumcised could easily be circumcised in one day with the help of the circumcised; the latter would prepare and kill the Passover lamb for their brethren whose soreness (Ge 34:25) would be no bar to their joining in the feast.
The "reproach of Egypt rolled off" is (like "the reproach of Moab" Zep 2:8, and "Syria" Eze 16:57) that heaped on Israel by Egypt, namely, that Jehovah had brought them into the wilderness to slay them (Ex 32:12; Nu 14:13-16; De 9:28). This "reproach of Egypt" rested on them so long as they were under the sentence of wandering and dying in the desert. The circumcision at Gilgal was a practical restoration of the covenant, and a pledge of their now receiving Canaan. No village was, or is, at Gilgal. In Mic 6:5, "O My people, remember ... what Balak ... consulted, and what Balaam ... answered ... from Shittim unto Gilgal," the sense is, Remember My kindness from Shittim. the scene of Balaam's wicked counsel taking effect in Israel's sin, from the fatal effects of which I saved thee, all along to Gilgal where I renewed the covenant with Israel by circumcision (2Sa 19:15).
2. Gilgal from which Elijah and Elisha went down to Bethel (2Ki 2:1-2). Clearly distinct from:
3. Gilgal, which is below in the Ghor along Jordan, not above Bethel, which is 1,000 ft. above Jordan. Now perhaps the ruins Jiljilieh, a few miles N. of Bethel. Another Gilgal has been found four miles from Shiloh, and five from Bethel, which is 500 ft. lower; this may be the Gilgal of 2Ki 2:3. Gilgal not far from Shechem, beside the plains of Moreh (De 11:30). Jos 12:23, "king of the nations (goim) of Gilgal," i.e. of the nomadic tribes, the aboriginal inhabitants of the country whose center was Gilgal.
4. To the N. of Judah (Jos 15:7). (See GELILOTH.)
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And the third day, when it was painful to them, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dina's brethren, took either of them his sword and went into the city boldly, and slew all that was male;
Then Zipporah took a stone and circumcised her son, and fell at his feet, and said, "A bloody husband art thou unto me."
Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, 'For a mischief did he bring them out: even for to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth.' Turn from thy fierce wrath, and have compassion over the wickedness of thy people.
And Moses said unto the LORD, "Then the Egyptians shall hear it, for thou broughtest this people with thy might from among them. And it will be told to the inhabiters of this land also, for they have heard likewise, that thou the LORD art among this people, and that thou art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them and that thou goest before them by day time in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. read more. If thou shalt kill all this people as they were but one man then the nations which have heard the fame of thee, will speak, saying, 'Because the LORD was not able to bring in this people into the land which he swore unto them, therefore he slew them in the wilderness.'
And they removed thence, and pitched upon the river of Zered. And they departed thence and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which river is in the wilderness, and cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
These are the numbers of the children of Israel which Moses and Eleazar the priest numbered in the fields of Moab, fast by Jordan nigh to Jericho. And among these there was not a man of the number of the children of Israel which Moses and Aaron told in the wilderness of Sinai. read more. For the LORD said unto them, that they should die in the wilderness and that there should not be left a man of them: save Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
The space in which we came from Kadesh Barnea until we were come over the river Zered was thirty eight years: until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out of the host, as the LORD sware unto them.
lest the land whence thou broughtest them say: Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them and because he hated them, therefore he carried them out to destroy them in the wilderness.
which are on the other side Jordan on the back side of the way toward the going down of the son in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the fields over against Gilgal beside Moreh grove.
And command you them, saying, 'Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, even out of the place where the priests stood in a readiness, twelve stones. And take ye them away with you and put them in the place where you lodge at night.'"
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, Joshua pitched in Gilgal.
That same time the LORD said unto Joshua, "Make thee knives of stone, and go to again and circumcise the children of Israel the second time." And Joshua made him knives of stone and circumcised the children of Israel in the hill of foreskins.
And the LORD said unto Joshua, "This day I have taken away the shame of Egypt from you": and called the name of the same place Gilgal unto this day. And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho.
And then went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going up to Adummim, which is of the south side of the River. And then went along to the water of Enshemesh, and ended at the well of Rogel.
And the king returned and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal for to go against the king to convey him over Jordan.
And it chanced that the LORD was minded to take up Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were going from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And when they came to Bethel, read more. the children of the Prophets that were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Knowest thou not how that the LORD will take away thy master from thee this day?" And he said, "I know it too; hold your peace."
and before thy wickedness came to light: thou wouldest not hear speak of thy sister Sodom, until the time that the Syrians with all their towns, and the Philistines, with all that lie round about them, brought thee to shame and confusion:
Remember, O my people, what Balak the king of Moab had imagined against thee, and what answer that Balaam the son of Beor gave him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the loving-kindness of the LORD.
I have heard the despite of Moab, and the blasphemies of the children of Ammon: how they have shamefully intreated my people, and magnified themselves within the borders of their land.
My little children - of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be fashioned in you -
I testify again to every man which is circumcised that he is bound to keep the whole law.
Hastings
A name meaning 'stone circle' applied to several places mentioned in the OT. 1. A place on the east border of Jericho (Jos 4:19), where the Israelites first encamped after crossing Jordan, and which remained the headquarters of the congregation till after the rout of the northern kings at Merom (Jos 14:6). The stone circle from which it certainly took its name (in spite of the impossible etymology given in Jos 5:9), was no doubt that to which the tradition embodied in Jos 4:20 refers, and the same as the 'images' by Gilgal in the story of Ehud (Jg 3:19 Revised Version margin). The name is still preserved in the modern Jilj
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which are on the other side Jordan on the back side of the way toward the going down of the son in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the fields over against Gilgal beside Moreh grove.
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, Joshua pitched in Gilgal.
And the LORD said unto Joshua, "This day I have taken away the shame of Egypt from you": and called the name of the same place Gilgal unto this day.
And the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said unto him, "Thou knowest what the LORD said unto Moses the man of God, about me and thee in Kadesh Barnea.
And then went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going up to Adummim, which is of the south side of the River. And then went along to the water of Enshemesh, and ended at the well of Rogel.
and he himself turned back from the idols at Gilgal, and caused to say thus: "I have a secret thing to tell thee, O king." And the king commanded to keep silence, and all they that stood about him went out from him.
and went about year by year, to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places, and came again to Ramah:
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
For Israel is gone back like a wanton cow. The LORD therefore shall make her feed, as the lamb that goeth astray.
Ephraim is hewn down, their root is dried up, so that they shall bring no more fruit: yea and though they bring forth any, yet will I slay even the best beloved fruit of their body.
But at Gilead is the abomination, they are fallen to vanity. At Gilgal they have slain oxen: and as many heaps of stones as they had in their land furrows, so many altars have they made.
'Ye came to Bethel for to work ungraciousness, and have increased your sins at Gilgal: ye brought your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes unto the third day.
Seek the LORD, that ye may live: lest the house of Joseph be burnt with fire and consumed, and lest there be none to quench Bethel.
Morish
1. Place west of the Jordan, 'in the east border of Jericho,' where the Israelites encamped after passing the river. Here the twelve memorial stones were placed that were taken out of Jordan. Here the Israelites were circumcised: type of the putting off the body of the flesh; that is, of separation from the system in which man in the flesh lives: cf. Col 3:3-5. Here the reproach of Egypt was 'rolled away' (from which the name of the place was called 'Gilgal'), and they had communion figuratively with the death of Christ in the Passover. On the next day they ate of the old corn of the promised land: type of Christ being the centre of heavenly things on which the Christian feeds. Jos 4:19-20; 5:2-11. Gilgal was not only the starting point in taking possession of the land, but the place to which Joshua returned again and again: it was the place of strength. Jos 9:6; 10:6-15; 14:6. It was here that Saul was made king, 1Sa 11:14-15; and here he offered sacrifices, and Samuel hewed Agag in pieces. 1Sa 13:4-15; 15:12,21,33.
When David returned after the overthrow and death of Absalom, Judah gathered at Gilgal. to meet the king and conduct him over Jordan. 2Sa 19:15. In the days of Jeroboam Gilgal was defiled with idolatry. Ho 4:15; 9:15; Am 4:4. Gilgal which signifies 'rolled away' should be itself 'rolled away.' Am 5:5. In Jos 15:7 the border of Judah's portion 'looked toward' Gilgal, which well agrees with its being near Jericho. But in Jos 18:17 the same place is called GELILOTH, which cannot be traced. Gilgal is identified with Jiljulieh, 31 51' N, 35 29' E. In Ne 12:29 occurs 'the house of Gilgal,' or 'Beth-gilgal,' which may refer to the same place, or may be one of the villages built 'round about' Jerusalem.
2. A place connected with the closing scene of Elijah's life and where Elisha wrought one of his miracles. 2Ki 2:1; 4:38. The two prophets went 'down' from Gilgal to Bethel, whereas when No. 1 is referred to it is always 'going up' to the neighbourhood of Bethel, which seems to indicate that different places are alluded to. It has been identified with Jiljilia, 32 2' N, 35 13' E. (It should however be added that if the identification of Nos. 1 and 2, and that of Bethel is correct, No. 2 is not actually higher than Bethel, though being on a high hill it appears to be so, and a valley has to be crossed to reach it. The altitude of No. 2 is 2,441 feet, and that of Bethel 2,890 feet. No. 1 is below the sea level, which makes the 'going up' from thence to Bethel very apparent.)
3. A place whose king is called 'the king of the nations of Gilgal,' or, as in the R.V., 'the king of Goiim in Gilgal.' He was slain under Joshua. Being mentioned between Dor and Tirzah it is apparently a third Gilgal. Jos 12:23. It has been identified with Jiljulieh, 32 10' N, 34 57' E.
4. In De 11:30 Moses, speaking of the mounts of Gerizim and Ebal, asks "Are they not . . . . in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?" This does not at all agree with any of the above, but has not been identified with any place in the neighbourhood of the two mountains.
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which are on the other side Jordan on the back side of the way toward the going down of the son in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the fields over against Gilgal beside Moreh grove.
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, Joshua pitched in Gilgal.
That same time the LORD said unto Joshua, "Make thee knives of stone, and go to again and circumcise the children of Israel the second time." And Joshua made him knives of stone and circumcised the children of Israel in the hill of foreskins. read more. And this is the cause why Joshua circumcised. All the people that came out of Egypt that were males, all that were men of war, died in the wilderness by the way after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised. But all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way after they came out of Egypt, they circumcised not. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people of men of war that came out of Egypt were consumed, which hearkened not unto the voice of God; so that the LORD sware, that he would not show them the land which the LORD sware unto their fathers, that he would give us even a land that floweth with milk and honey. And their children he set up in their stead. Them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they circumcised them not by the way. And when all the people were full circumcised, they abode still in their places in the host till they were whole. And the LORD said unto Joshua, "This day I have taken away the shame of Egypt from you": and called the name of the same place Gilgal unto this day. And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho. And they ate of the corn of the land on the morrow after Passover, sweet cakes and parched corn in the selfsame day.
And they came unto Joshua, unto the host to Gilgal, and said unto him and unto the men of Israel, "We be come from a far country, now therefore make agreement with us."
But the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua unto the host to Gilgal, saying, "Withdraw not thy hands from thy servants, but come up to us: for all the kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us." And Joshua ascended from Gilgal, both he and all the people of war with him, and all the men of might, read more. and the LORD said unto Joshua, fear them not, for I have delivered them unto thine hand, there shall not a man of them stand before thee. And Joshua came unto them suddenly, and journeyed from Gilgal all night. And the LORD turmoiled them before Israel and slew of them a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron and slew them till they came to Azekah and Makkedah. And as they fled from Israel, even in the going down to Bethhoron, the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them, until they came unto Azekah, that they died. And there were more that died with hailstones, than the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua unto the LORD, the day when the LORD delivered the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of all Israel, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." And the sun abode, and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of the righteous, how that the sun abode in the midst of heaven and hasted not to go down by the space of a whole day? And there was no day like that, before it, or after it, that the LORD obeyed the voice of a man: and all because the LORD fought for Israel. And Joshua returned and all Israel with him, unto the host to Gilgal:
And the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said unto him, "Thou knowest what the LORD said unto Moses the man of God, about me and thee in Kadesh Barnea.
And then went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going up to Adummim, which is of the south side of the River. And then went along to the water of Enshemesh, and ended at the well of Rogel.
And compasseth from the north and goeth forth to Enshemesh and to the coasts that lie before the going up unto Adummim; and goeth down to the stone of Bohan the son of Ruben;
Then said Samuel unto the people, "Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there." And the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king there, before the LORD in Gilgal. And there they offered peace offerings before the LORD. And there Saul and all the people rejoiced exceedingly.
And all Israel heard say, how that Saul had destroyed a hold of the Philistines, and how that Israel stank unto the Philistines. And all the people cried after Saul to Gilgal. Then the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen with other people like the sand by the seaside in multitude and came up and pitched in Michmash eastward from Bethaven. read more. And when the men of Israel saw themselves in a strait, and that the people were encumbered, they hid themselves in caves, in privy holes, in rocks, dens and pits. And the Hebrews went over Jordan unto the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul was yet in Gilgal, and all the people that followed him were astonished. And he tarried seven days, as Samuel had appointed. But Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people scattered from him. Wherefore Saul said, "Bring burnt sacrifice to me and peace offerings." And he offered burnt sacrifice. And as soon as he had made an end of offering burnt offerings behold, Samuel came. And Saul went against him, to salute him. Then said Samuel to Saul, "What hast thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people scattered from me, and yet thou camest not within the days appointed - and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash - then said I, 'The Philistines shall come down upon me to Gilgal, before I have made supplication unto the LORD.' And therefore I took a courage with me and offered burnt offerings." Then said Samuel to Saul, "Thou hast done foolishly and hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God which he commanded thee. For at this time would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue. The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and hath commanded him to be a captain over his people: because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." And Samuel arose and gat him from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were found with him, about a six hundred men.
And Samuel rose early, to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel that Saul was come to Carmel, and had set him up a pillar of triumph, and was turned and departed and gone to Gilgal.
And the people took of the spoil, sheep, oxen, and the chiefest of the things which should have been destroyed, to offer unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal."
And Samuel said, "As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among other women." And so Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
And the king returned and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal for to go against the king to convey him over Jordan.
And it chanced that the LORD was minded to take up Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
and from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages about Jerusalem.
Though thou, Israel, are disposed to play the harlot, yet shouldest not thou have offended, O Judah. Thou shouldest not have run to Gilgal, nor gone up to Bethaven, nor have sworn, 'The LORD liveth.'
All their wickedness is done at Gilgal, there do I abhor them. For the ungraciousness of their own inventions, I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more, for all their princes are unfaithful.
'Ye came to Bethel for to work ungraciousness, and have increased your sins at Gilgal: ye brought your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes unto the third day.
but seek not after Bethel. come not at Gilgal, and go not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall be carried away captive, and Bethel shall come to naught.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, which is our life, shall show himself; then shall ye also appear with him in glory. read more. Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, unnatural lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is worshipping of idols:
Smith
Gil'gal
(a wheel; rolling).
1. The site of the first camp of the Israelites on the west of the Jordan, the place at which they passed the first night after crossing the river, and where the twelve stones were set up which had been taken from the bed of the stream,
comp. Josh 4:3 where also they kept the first passover in the land of Canaan ch.
It was "in the east border of Jericho," apparently on a hillock or rising ground,
comp. Josh 5:9 in the Arboth-Jericho (Authorized Version "the plains"), that is, the hot depressed district of the Ghor which lay between the town and the Jordan. ch.
Here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king. We again have a glimpse of it, some sixty years later, in the history of David's return to Jerusalem.
A Gilgal is spoken of in
in describing the north border of Judah. In
it is given as Geliloth. Gilgal near Jericho is doubtless intended.
2. In
is named a Gilgal visited by Elijah and Elisha. This could not be the Gilgal of the low plain of the Jordan, for the prophets are said to have gone down to Bethel, which is 3000 feet above the plain. It haa been identified with Jiljilia, about four miles from Bethel and Shiloh respectively.
3. The "king of the nations of Gilgal" or rather perhaps the "king of Goim at Gilgal," is mentioned in the catalogue of the chiefs overthrown bv Joshua.
Possibly the site of this place is marked by the modern village Jiljulieh, about four miles south of Antipatris, which lies 16 miles northeast of Joppa. But another Gilgal, under the slightly-different form of Kilkilieh, lies about two miles east of Antipatris.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the people came up out of Jordan the tenth day of the first month and pitched in Gilgal even in the east borders of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they took out of Jordan, Joshua pitched in Gilgal.
And Joshua made him knives of stone and circumcised the children of Israel in the hill of foreskins.
And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho.
And the children of Israel pitched their tents in Gilgal, and held the feast of Passover the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the fields of Jericho.
And then went up to Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal that lieth before the going up to Adummim, which is of the south side of the River. And then went along to the water of Enshemesh, and ended at the well of Rogel.
And compasseth from the north and goeth forth to Enshemesh and to the coasts that lie before the going up unto Adummim; and goeth down to the stone of Bohan the son of Ruben;
And then the king went to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. Now all the men of Judah were at the bringing over of the king, and but half the men of Israel.
And it chanced that the LORD was minded to take up Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were going from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here, I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And when they came to Bethel,
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
Watsons
The word Gilgal signifies rolling. Here the ark was long stationed, and consequently the place was much resorted to by the Israelites. It seems to have been the place in which Jeroboam or some of the kings of Israel instituted idolatrous worship; and hence the allusions to it by the prophets, Ho 4:15; Am 4:4. It is probable that there were idols at Gilgal as early as the days of Ehud, who was one of the judges; for it is said that, having delivered his presents to the king, "Ehud went away, but returned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal," Jg 3:19. The margin of our Bibles reads, "the graven images," or idols set up by the Moabites, the viewing of which, it is thought, stirred up Ehud to revenge the affront thereby offered to the God of Israel. At this same place, the people met to confirm the kingdom to Saul, 1Sa 11:14-15. It was at Gilgal, too, that Saul incurred the divine displeasure, in offering sacrifice before Samuel arrived, 1 Samuel xiii; and there also it was that he received the sentence of his rejection for disobeying the divine command, and sparing the king of Amalek with the spoils which he had reserved, 1 Samuel 15.
It has been supposed that the setting up of stones, as at Gilgal and other places, gave rise to the rude stone circular temples of the Druids, and other Heathens. The idea, however, appears fanciful, and there is an essential difference between stones erected for memorials, and those used to mark sacred, or supposed sacred, places for worship.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and he himself turned back from the idols at Gilgal, and caused to say thus: "I have a secret thing to tell thee, O king." And the king commanded to keep silence, and all they that stood about him went out from him.
Then said Samuel unto the people, "Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there." And the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king there, before the LORD in Gilgal. And there they offered peace offerings before the LORD. And there Saul and all the people rejoiced exceedingly.
Though thou, Israel, are disposed to play the harlot, yet shouldest not thou have offended, O Judah. Thou shouldest not have run to Gilgal, nor gone up to Bethaven, nor have sworn, 'The LORD liveth.'
'Ye came to Bethel for to work ungraciousness, and have increased your sins at Gilgal: ye brought your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes unto the third day.