ajalon Summary and Overview

and Aij'alon, place of deer. (1.) A town and valley originally assigned to the tribe of Dan, from which, however, they could not drive the Amorites (Judg. 1:35). It was one of the Levitical cities given to the Kohathites (1 Chr. 6:69). It was not far from Beth-shemesh (2 Chr. 28:18). It was the boundary between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, and is frequently mentioned in Jewish history (2 Chr. 11:10; 1 Sam. 14:31; 1 Chr. 8:13). With reference to the valley named after the town, Joshua uttered the celebrated command, "Sun, stand thou still on Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon" (Josh. 10:12). It has been identified as the modern Yalo, at the foot of the Beth-horon pass (q.v.). In the Tell Amarna letters Adoni-zedek (q.v.) speaks of the destruction of the "city of Ajalon" by the invaders, and describes himself as "afflicted, greatly afflicted" by the calamities that had come on the land, urging the king of Egypt to hasten to his help. (2.) A city in the tribe of Zebulun (Judg. 12:12), the modern Jalun, three miles north of Cabul.

[AIJALON]

AJ'ALON (place of gazelles). 1. A Levitical city of Dan, Josh 19:42 ; given to the Kohathites, Josh 21:24; held by the Amorites, Jud 1:35 ; noticed in the wars with the Philistines, 1 Sam 14:31; 2 Chr 28:18; fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chr 11:10 ; then in the territory of Benjamin, as the Danites had extended their territory farther north. See Jud 18:1. Being on the border of the two kingdoms, it is sometimes mentioned as in Ephraim, 1 Chr 6:66, 1 Chr 6:69 and sometimes as in Judah and Benjamin. 2 Chr 11:10 ; 2 Chr 28:18. Its modern name is Yalo, a small village about 14 miles west of Jerusalem, and north of the Jaffa road. 1. A valley, Josh 10:12, near the above city, now called Merj Ibn Omeir, which is broad and very beautiful. There Joshua fought a great battle. See Gibeon. 2. A town in Zebulun. possibly named after Elon the judge, who was buried there. Jud 12:12. Its site may be the modern Jalun.