Gilgal

2 definitions found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Gilgal
     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 (Josh. 9:6; 10:6). It was "beside the oaks of Moreh," near
     which Abraham erected his first altar (Gen. 12:6, 7). This was


     one of the three towns to which Samuel resorted for the
     administration of justice (1 Sam. 7:16), and here also he
     offered sacrifices when the ark was no longer in the tabernacle
     at Shiloh (1 Sam. 10:8; 13:7-9). To this place, as to a central
     sanctuary, all Israel gathered to renew their allegiance to Saul
     (11:14). At a later period it became the scene of idolatrous
     worship (Hos. 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 (Josh. 4:19, 20). Here they kept their first Passover
     in the land of Canaan (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 (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 (2 Kings 4:38), and whence
     Elijah and Elisha, who resided here, "went down" to Bethel
     (2:1,2). It is mentioned also in Deut. 11:30. It is now known as
     Jiljilia, a place 8 miles north of Bethel.
     

From Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's) [hitchcock]:

  Gilgal, wheel; rolling; heap