Lexical Definition

‎גִּלְגָּל‎ Gilgâl (ghil-gawl') Gilgal ^N:N--L
the same as ‎גִּלְגָּל‎ (with the article as a properly, noun)

Gilgal. See also ‎בֵּית הַגִּלְגָּל‎.

• § Gilgal = "a wheel, rolling"
• Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine

1) the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king; later used for illicit worship
2) dwelling place of prophets in northern Israel about four miles (7 km) from Shiloh and Bethel
3) a region conquered by Joshua, site unsure

Extended Information

• dwelling place of prophets in northern Israel about four miles (7 km) from Shiloh and Bethel

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎גִּלְגָּל‎ proper name, of a location (= (sacred) circle of stones; compare Di on Josh 5:9, where word-play on roll away, off) — with article except Josh 5:9; Josh 12:23 —

1. place east of Jericho, where Israel lay encamped Josh 4:19; Josh 4:20; Josh 5:9; Josh 5:10; Josh 9:6; Josh 10:7; Josh 10:9; Josh 14:6 compare also Mic 6:5 & Judg 3:19 ‎הַפְּסִילִים‎ ‎׳‎‎אֲשֶׁר אֶתהַֿגּ‎;? modern Tell Jeljul Bd^{Pal 169}; perhaps also the place where sacrifices were offered 1Sam 10:8; 1Sam 11:14; 1Sam 11:15 (twice in verse); 1Sam 13:4; 1Sam 13:7; 1Sam 13:8; 1Sam 13:12; 1Sam 13:15 (in v1Sam 13:15 insert also with other words, Dr compare We) 1Sam 15:12; 1Sam 15:21; 1Sam 15:33 place of illicit sacrifice Hos 4:15; Hos 9:15; Hos 12:12*; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5 (twice in verse), named also Judg 2:1; 1Sam 7:16; 2Sam 19:16*; 2Sam 19:41* ? = ‎בֵּית הַגִּלְגָּל‎ Neh 12:29.

2. place on border between Judah & Benjamin Josh 15:17 (= ‎גְּלִילוֺת‎ Josh 18:17 compare Di).

3. place in Northern Israel, dwelling of prophets 2Kgs 2:1; 2Kgs 4:38, modern Jiljilie south from Nâbulus, southwest from Seilûn (Shiloh) compare Di Ri^{HWB 518.}

4. place in Northern Israel near Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal Deut 11:30, identification with 3 by Ke Ri^{HWB 518} Schenkel^BL SS; but compare Di.

5. in phrase ‎מֶלֶךְ גּוֺיִם לְגִּלְגָּל‎ Josh 12:23, in list of Canaanitish kings; probably name of a (northern) district compare Di (B βασιλέα Γεεὶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας — but ᵐ5^L & Manuscripts Γοειμ τῆς Γελγελ); Di compare Isa 8:23*.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Gilgal_2 • A place associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

Gilgal, a place associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha, was the starting point of Elijah's final journey and the location of a prophetic community (2 Kings 2:1; 4:38).

• A location first mentioned at 2Ki.2.1;
• only referred to as Gilgal גִּלְגָּל.
  

Gilgal, mentioned in 2 Kings, was a place associated with the prophets Elijah and Elisha. It was from Gilgal that Elijah set out on his final journey before being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1). Elisha, who had been anointed as Elijah's successor, returned to Gilgal after Elijah's departure. Later, during a time of famine, Elisha was in Gilgal with a group of prophets known as the "sons of the prophets" (2 Kings 4:38). While there, Elisha performed a miracle by making a poisonous stew edible, demonstrating his prophetic power and divine authority. This Gilgal seems to have been a location where a community of prophets lived and trained, possibly different from the Gilgal mentioned in the books of Joshua and Samuel. The exact location of this Gilgal is uncertain, but it was likely in the northern part of Israel, given its association with the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha.

All entries for Gilgal: גִּלְגָּל