Gilgal

(that which rolls to the ground, hence: overthrow) — the name of three localities: a) (Josh. 4:19, 20) a settlement in the plain of Jericho, to the east of Jericho and northeast of Jerusalem, at a distance of a few miles from the Jordan; this is the first place at which the Israelites, after crossing the Jordan, encamped, and here also, by God’s command, a memorial of 12 stones was erected as a sign of the miraculous crossing of this river (Josh. 4:2–9), the rite of circumcision was performed, and the Hebrews celebrated the first Passover after entering the Promised Land (Josh. 5:10–12).

At Gilgal, for a time, the Tabernacle with the Ark of the Covenant was located, until it was moved to Shiloh, and divine service was performed there (Josh. 5:10; 9:6). In this city, as also at Bethel and Mizpeh, the prophet Samuel judged Israel (1 Sam. 7:16; 10:8) and anointed Saul as king (1 Sam. 11:14, 15). Here also Samuel hewed Agag, king of the Amalekites, in pieces before the Lord (1 Sam. 15:33). Afterward the inhabitants of Gilgal gave themselves over to idol-worship (Hos. 12:12; Amos 4:4, 5).

The word “idols” in the book of Judges (3:19) points to the idolatry that prevailed at Gilgal. In the time of Eusebius and Jerome, Gilgal already lay in ruins, but in the 12th and 14th centuries, according to the testimony of some travelers, the 12 stones were still preserved on the site of biblical Gilgal; b) (elevation, hill) (2 Kings 4:38) an elevated locality 6 versts from Shiloh and at the same distance to the north of Bethel. Here the prophet Elisha, having put meal into the pot, healed the sons of the prophets who had been poisoned by a stew made from wild gourds; c) in the book of Joshua (12:23) a third locality is encountered under this same name.

The king of Goiim in Gilgal is mentioned among the kings defeated by Joshua. It is thought that this is the present-day locality of Jiljulieh, three versts to the southeast of Kefr Saba.