Elath in Smiths Bible Dictionary

(a grove), the name of a town of the land of Edom, commonly mentioned with Ezion-geber, and situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf, which was thence called the Elanitic Gulf. It first occurs in the account of the wanderings, De 2:8 and in later times must have come under the rule of David. 2Sa 8:14 We find the place named again in connection with Solomon's navy. 1Ki 9:26 comp. 2Chr 8:17 In the Roman period it became a frontier town of the south and the residence of a Christian bishop. The Arabic name is Eyleh, and palm groves still exist there, after which it was named.