1553. Geliloth

Lexical Summary

Geliloth: Geliloth

Original Word: גְּלִילוֹת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Gliylowth
Pronunciation: guh-lee-LOTH
Phonetic Spelling: (ghel-ee-lowth')
KJV: Geliloth
NASB: Geliloth
Word Origin: [plural of H1552 (גְּלִילָה - region)]

1. circles
2. Geliloth, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Geliloth

Plural of gliylah; circles; Geliloth, a place in Palestine -- Geliloth.

see HEBREW gliylah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
pl. of gelilah
Definition
"circles," a Pal. place name
NASB Translation
Geliloth (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

גְּלִילוֺת proper name, of a location (strictly plural of foregoing; probably = circles of stones, ᵑ9 tumuli, compare Di)

1 Joshua 18:17 (compare הַגִּלְגָּל Joshua 15:7), place on border between Benjamin & Judah.

2 locality described as follows:

a. הַיַּרְדֵּן אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן ׳אֶלגֿ Joshua 22:10 unto Geliloth (= the circles) of Jordan which is in the land of Canaan; (ᵐ5 Γαλγαλα, ᵐ5^L Γαλιλωθ).

b. אֶלמֿוּל אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֶלגְּֿלִילוֺת הַיַּרְדֵּן אֶלעֵֿבֶר בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Joshua 22:11 in front of the land of Canaan, in Geliloth of Jordan, beyond the sons of Israel (ᵐ5 Γαλααδ, ᵐ5^L omitted) see Di; yet compare Dr^{Intr. 106 n.} Others render ׳ג here circuit of Jordan = כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן; districts VB, compare גְּלִילָה.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Geliloth designates a specific locality lying on the border between Benjamin and Judah during the tribal allotments under Joshua. Although it appears only once, its placement within the inspired record helps illuminate covenant boundaries, historical travel corridors, and the faithfulness of God in settling His people.

Location and Geographic Setting

• Situated west of the Jordan Valley, Geliloth is named immediately after En Shemesh and just before the descent toward the Stone of Bohan (Joshua 18:17).
• It lies “opposite the Ascent of Adummim,” the ridge road that climbs from the Jericho plain toward the central hill country. This ascent later became the principal Jerusalem–Jericho route, well known from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).
• The strategic placement at a watershed line marks the transition from arid wilderness to cultivated highlands, affording Geliloth both defensive elevation and access to trade and pilgrimage traffic.

Biblical Context

The only occurrence reads: “Then it curved northward to En Shemesh, extended to Geliloth opposite the Ascent of Adummim, and descended to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.” (Joshua 18:17)

Within the larger passage (Joshua 18:11-20) the inspired writer delineates Benjamin’s territorial perimeter. Each landmark fixed the legal inheritance for families, ensuring the equitable distribution promised to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:18-21; Numbers 34:1-12). Geliloth therefore stands as a witness-stone of covenant fulfillment.

Etymological and Theological Connections

• The root behind Geliloth conveys the idea of “circles” or “regions” and is cognate with the later district name Galilee. Both terms evoke the image of encircled areas set apart for divine purpose.
• By assigning borders, the Lord demonstrated both sovereignty and order (Deuteronomy 32:8; Acts 17:26). Geliloth testifies that the land was not seized randomly but allotted under divine command.
• As Galilee would one day host a majority of Messiah’s earthly ministry (Matthew 4:12-17), the shared linguistic heritage subtly links Joshua’s allotment to the unfolding redemptive drama.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

• Early explorers equated Geliloth with Gilgal near Jericho, but the text distinguishes the two. More recent proposals place it on the ridge above Wadi Qelt, roughly five kilometers west of modern Jericho.
• Pottery scatters and Iron Age terraces in the vicinity corroborate Israelite occupation during the period of the Judges and early monarchy, fitting the biblical chronology.
• The proximity to the Adummim route suggests exposure to passing caravans and pilgrims, making Geliloth part of the communication spine that connected desert fringe with temple heights.

Spiritual and Ministry Applications

• Boundary Stones: Just as Geliloth marked Benjamin’s inheritance, believers are called to respect God-ordained limits—whether moral (Proverbs 22:28) or doctrinal (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
• Covenant Faithfulness: The single verse containing Geliloth is one strand in a larger fabric proving that “not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed” (Joshua 21:45). This undergirds confidence in every New Covenant promise (2 Corinthians 1:20).
• Gateway Ministry: Located where wilderness travelers began the climb toward Jerusalem, Geliloth invites reflection on ministries that stand at transitional points—helping seekers move from barrenness to fellowship with God (Isaiah 40:3-4; Acts 8:26-39).
• Foreshadowing the Gospel Path: The same ridge later walked by the Good Samaritan highlights the shift from tribal borders to neighborly compassion, reinforcing that the Law’s structure points forward to grace.

Related Passages

Joshua 15:7 (The border description for Judah mentioning the Stone of Bohan)

Deuteronomy 32:8 (God setting peoples’ boundaries)

Proverbs 22:28 (Warning against moving boundary stones)

Acts 17:26 (God determining allotted periods and dwelling places)

Summary

Though Geliloth is mentioned only once, it anchors an essential segment of the Benjamin-Judah border, underscoring God’s meticulous provision for His people. Its geographic prominence along a historic ascent ties the tribal era to later redemptive events, reminding readers that every place name preserved in Scripture contributes to the tapestry of divine revelation and continues to instruct faith and ministry today.

Forms and Transliterations

גְּלִיל֔וֹת גלילות gə·lî·lō·wṯ geliLot gəlîlōwṯ

Englishman's Concordance

Joshua 18:17
HEB: וְיָצָא֙ אֶל־ גְּלִיל֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר־ נֹ֖כַח
NAS: and went to Geliloth, which
KJV: and went forth toward Geliloth, which [is] over against
INT: and went to Geliloth which is opposite

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1553
1 Occurrence

gə·lî·lō·wṯ — 1 Occ.