Elath
E'lath. (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, Deu_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. Compare 2Ch_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.
Source:
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Elath; Eloth
ē´lath, or ē´loth (אילות, 'ēlōth, אילת, 'ēlath; Αἰλών, Ailō̇n
(Deu_2:8), Αἰλάθ,
Ailáth (2Ki_16:6)): A
seaport on the Red Sea in the territory of Edom. It is named along with
Ezion-geber in the account of Israel's journey round the land of Edom (Deu_2:8). It appears as Ailath, and Ailōn
in the Septuagint, and in Josephus as Ilanis (Ant., VIII, vi, 4), while
Eusebius (Onomasticon) has Αΐλά,
Ailá̌. From this we may gather that the Aramaic Ilān
or Ilānā was in use as well as the Hebrew 'ēlath
or 'ēlōtȟ. The name, “grove,” was doubtless derived
from the presence of certain sacred trees. It may be identical with El-paran of
Gen_14:6, and Elah of Gen_36:41. When David conquered Edom, Elath
passed into the hands of Israel (2Sa_8:14).
It was a position of great importance in connection with the trade with South
Arabia. Here the merchant fleets of Solomon and Jehoshaphat were fitted out,
and hence, they sailed (1Ki_9:26; 2Ch_8:17; 1Ki_22:48).
In the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, Edom shook off the hand of Judah (2Ki_8:20), but under Amaziah and Uzziah it was
again subdued (2Ki_14:7, 2Ki_14:10, 2Ki_14:22).
Finally it was taken from Ahaz by Rezin, king of Syria. The Jews were driven
out and the Syrians (Edomites?) took permanent possession (2Ki_16:6). It is identical with the modern ‛Aḳaba,
at the head of the gulf of that name.
Source:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Elath
Grove; trees, (Deu_2:8), also in
plural form Eloth (1Ki_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
Deu_2:8. It is also mentioned along
with Ezion-geber in 1Ki_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 (2Ki_14:22). Now the ruin Aila.
Source:
Easton’s Bible Dictionary