elath Summary and Overview

grove; trees, (Deut. 2:8), also in plural form Eloth (1 Kings 9:26, etc.); called by the Greeks and Romans Elana; a city of Idumea, on the east, i.e., the Elanitic, gulf, or the Gulf of Akabah, of the Red Sea. It is first mentioned in Deut. 2:8. It is also mentioned along with Ezion-geber in 1 Kings 9:26. It was within the limits of Solomon's dominion, but afterwards revolted. It was, however, recovered and held for a time under king Uzziah (2 Kings 14:22). Now the ruin Aila.

E'LATH , OR E'LOTH (trees), a seaport-town of Edom, at the northern end of the eastern arm of the Red Sea. Deut 2:8; 2 Chr 8:17. It is usually associated in Scripture with Ezion-geber. The children of Israel passed by it; it was a part of David's conquest, Deut 2:8; 2 Sam 8:14; was a place of importance in Solomon's time, 1 Kgs 9:26, 1 Kgs 9:28; was recaptured by the Edomites, 2 Kgs 8:20; was retaken by Uzziah, 2 Kgs 14:22; 2 Chr 26:2, who rebuilt it; was afterward taken by the king of Damascus, 2 Kgs 16:6, and later by Assyria. 2 Kgs 16:7-9. Stanley thinks that Elath was on the site of modern Akaba, and Robinson placed it on a mound near Akaba. Palm-groves still exist there.

In Edom, on the Red Sea, near Ezion Geber (Deuteronomy 2:8). Now in Arabic Eyleh, at the point of the eastern horn of the Red Sea. Both town and gulf are named Akaba. No doubt included in David's conquest of Edom (2 Samuel 8:14). Solomon's navy rode at sea near Ezion Geber, beside Eloth (1 Kings 9:26; 2 Chronicles 8:17). From Elath the Elanitic gulf, the eastern arm of the Red Sea, takes its name. It means "trees," and a grove of palm trees is still at Akaba. Edom revolted in the Israelite king Joram's days; Azariah (Uzziah) of Judah "built Elath and restored it to Judah" (2 Kings 8:20; 2 Kings 14:22). Rezin of Syria recovered it and drove out the Jews (2 Kings 16:6). The Eyleh district was originally occupied by a tribe of the Amalekites (the Sameyda). Amalek, according to Arab historians, passed from the Persian gulf through the Arabian peninsula to Arabia Petraea. Herodotus makes the Phoenicians come from the Red Sea; if they were Cushites, their maritime propensities would accord with the characteristics of that race.