Lexical Summary Ayyalon: Aijalon, Ajalon Original Word: אַיָּלוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Aijalon, Ajalon From 'ayal; deer-field; Ajalon, the name of five places in Palestine -- Aijalon, Ajalon. see HEBREW 'ayal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ayyal Definition "deer," the name of several cities in Pal. NASB Translation Aijalon (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַיָּלוֺן proper name, of a location (Deer-field) Aijalon — ׳א Joshua 10:12 8t.; 1 city in Dan Joshua 19:42; Joshua 21:24 (Levitical city) Judges 1:35; 1 Samuel 14:31 doubtless same; so 1 Chronicles 6:54 (where Dan omitted); apparently later in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:13; 2Chronicles 11:10; 28:18 (see Be); עֵמֶק אַיָּלוֺן Joshua 10:12 almost certainly named from same; = Epiph. Ἰαλω modern Jâlo RobBR ii. 253, Surveyiii. 19. 2 city in Zebulun Judges 12:12. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingAijalon is both a city and an adjoining valley situated at the western mouth of the Beth-horon ascent, where the central hill country of Israel descends to the coastal plain. This strategic position made it a gateway between the territory of Benjamin and the Philistine plain, commanding the main north–south and east–west thoroughfares of the Shephelah. The valley provided a natural military corridor, while the city—identifiable with modern Yalo or the nearby site of Tel Ayyalon—overlooked fertile fields that invited both settlement and conflict. Biblical Occurrences and Historical Timeline 1. Joshua 10:12 – Joshua’s prayer during the battle against the Amorite coalition: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” Conquest and Miraculous Battle Aijalon enters Scripture in the context of divine intervention. Joshua’s command for the moon to stand still over the valley (Joshua 10:12–13) testifies to God’s sovereign control of creation in order to secure Israel’s victory. The valley thus becomes a memorial of answered prayer and supernatural deliverance. Its open topography allowed the fleeing Amorites to be exposed to Israelite forces once daylight was divinely prolonged. Allocation to Dan and the Levites Although allotted to Dan (Joshua 19:42), the tribe struggled to hold its Shephelah territory, and the Levites were installed there (Joshua 21:24). Aijalon’s priestly assignment underlines God’s intent that worship and instruction permeate Israel’s frontier regions. The city served as a Levitical beacon between idolatrous Philistia and covenantal Israel, illustrating the biblical pattern of placing spiritual ministry where confrontation with the world was most intense. A Stage of Tribal and National Struggle Judges 1:35 shows lingering Amorite resistance, highlighting Israel’s incomplete obedience during the settlement era. By Judges 12:12, Aijalon was linked with the judge Elon, suggesting that the site had extended northward influence or that another locality shared the name. In the monarchy, Saul’s pursuit of Philistines through Aijalon (1 Samuel 14:31) underscores the valley’s value as an exit route from Israel’s highlands toward the coast. The Benjaminites’ later victories there (1 Chronicles 8:13) further indicate ongoing skirmishes for control. Fortification and Loss in the Divided Kingdom Rehoboam reinforced Aijalon (2 Chronicles 11:10) as one of his chain of defensive cities. The measure proved necessary, for centuries later Ahaz’s apostasy brought divine judgment, and Philistines seized Aijalon (2 Chronicles 28:18). The city’s fate mirrored the spiritual condition of Judah: fortified when faith was strong, forfeited when faith waned. Yet the Chronicler’s record also preserves hope, demonstrating that loss of territory ultimately serves God’s purpose of calling His people to repentance. Theological Reflections 1. God rules history and nature alike. The stationary moon over Aijalon proclaims that the Lord who created time can also bend it for redemptive ends. Ministry Application Pastors and missionaries laboring on cultural frontiers can see in Aijalon a biblical blueprint: place gospel witness where conflict is keenest, depend on divine intervention in seemingly impossible battles, and guard spiritual strongholds through continual faithfulness. Individual believers learn that every “valley of Aijalon” encountered—those transitional moments between one battle and the next—offers an opportunity to call on the Lord who can lengthen the day until His victory is complete. Forms and Transliterations אַיָּל֑וֹן אַיָּל֔וֹן אַיָּל֜וֹן אַיָּלֹ֑נָה אַיָּלֽוֹן׃ אַיָּלוֹן֙ אילון אילון׃ אילנה בְּאַיָּל֖וֹן באילון וְאַיָּל֖וֹן ואילון ’ay·yā·lō·nāh ’ay·yā·lō·wn ’ayyālōnāh ’ayyālōwn aiyaLon aiyaLonah bə’ayyālōwn bə·’ay·yā·lō·wn beaiyaLon veaiyaLon wə’ayyālōwn wə·’ay·yā·lō·wnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 10:12 HEB: וְיָרֵ֖חַ בְּעֵ֥מֶק אַיָּלֽוֹן׃ NAS: And O moon in the valley of Aijalon. KJV: in the valley of Ajalon. INT: moon the valley of Aijalon Joshua 19:42 Joshua 21:24 Judges 1:35 Judges 12:12 1 Samuel 14:31 1 Chronicles 6:69 1 Chronicles 8:13 2 Chronicles 11:10 2 Chronicles 28:18 10 Occurrences |
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