Introduction:
Elath, also spelled Eloth, is a significant location mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. It is a port city situated on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, which is part of the Red Sea. Elath's strategic position made it an important center for trade and military endeavors in ancient times.

Biblical References:
Elath is first mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 2:8 , it is noted: "So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the desert road of Moab."

The city is also referenced during the reign of King Solomon. In 1 Kings 9:26 , it is recorded: "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea." This highlights Elath's role as a maritime hub during Solomon's reign, facilitating trade and commerce.

Historical Context:
Elath was located in the region historically known as Edom, inhabited by the descendants of Esau. Its proximity to the Red Sea made it a vital point for trade routes connecting the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, and the broader Near East. The city's importance is underscored by its repeated mention in the context of Israelite and Judean kings.

During the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Elath was recaptured and rebuilt, as noted in 2 Kings 14:22 : "He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after King Amaziah rested with his fathers." This restoration indicates the city's strategic and economic significance to the kingdom of Judah.

Theological Significance:
Elath's mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the role of trade and commerce in the biblical narrative. The city's strategic location highlights the importance of maritime activities in the expansion and prosperity of the Israelite kingdom, particularly under Solomon's rule.

Furthermore, Elath's history reflects the broader theme of God's providence and sovereignty over nations and their territories. The city's capture, loss, and recapture by various rulers illustrate the ebb and flow of political power and the fulfillment of divine purposes through historical events.

Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological efforts have identified the site of ancient Elath near the present-day city of Eilat in Israel. Excavations have uncovered evidence of ancient trade, including pottery and other artifacts, which corroborate the biblical accounts of Elath as a bustling port city.

Conclusion:
While Elath is not a central focus of biblical theology, its role as a trade and military hub provides valuable insights into the historical and economic context of the biblical narrative. The city's strategic importance and its repeated mention in the scriptures underscore the interconnectedness of the ancient Near Eastern world and the unfolding of God's plan through history.Elath

a hind; strength; an oak

Elath

Or ELOTH, a city of Idumea, situated at the northern extremity of the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, which was anciently called the Elantic gulf, and now the gulf of Akaba. Ezion-Gaber was also situated here, and very near Elath, De 2:8 1 Kings 9:26. This gulf, although known to the ancients, has been almost unknown to modern geographers until the time of Burckhardt. This enterprising traveler explored it, and gave the first full amount of it. The great sand valley called El-Arabah, and towards the north El-Ghor, runs from this gulf to the Dead Sea. Elath was annexed to Judah by David, who established there an extensive commerce, 2 Samuel 8:14. Solomon also built ships there, 2 Chronicles 8:17,18. In the reign of Joram the Edomites recovered it, but lost it again to Uzziah, 2 Kings 8:20 14:22; and he to Rezin, 2 Kings 16:6. Under the rule of the Romans it was a flourishing commercial town with the ordinances of Christianity. In 630 A. D. it fell under the power of Mohammed, and is now in ruins. The fortress of Akaba, near by, now often visited by travelers from Mount Sinai to Palestine, is only important for the protection of pilgrims to Mecca.

Grove; trees, (Deuteronomy 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 Deuteronomy 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. ELATH; ELOTH

e'-lath, or e'-loth ('eloth, 'elath; Ailon (Deuteronomy 2:8), Ailath (2 Kings 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 (Deuteronomy 2:8). It appears as Ailath, and Alion in the Septuagint, and in Josephus as Ilanis (Ant., VIII, vi, 4), while Eusebius (Onomasticon) has Aila. From this we may gather that the Aramaic Ilan or Ilana was in use as well as the Hebrew 'elath or 'eloth. The name, "grove," was doubtless derived from the presence of certain sacred trees. It may be identical with El-paran of Genesis 14:6, and Elah of Genesis 36:41. When David conquered Edom, Elath passed into the hands of Israel (2 Samuel 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 (1 Kings 9:26 2 Chronicles 8:17 1 Kings 22:48).

In the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, Edom shook off the hand of Judah (2 Kings 8:20), but under Amaziah and Uzziah it was again subdued (2 Kings 14:7, 10, 22). Finally it was taken from Ahaz by Rezin, king of Syria. The Jews were driven out and the Syrians (Edomites?) took permanent possession (2 Kings 16:6). It is identical with the modern `Aqaba, at the head of the gulf of that name.

W. Ewing

365a. Elath -- "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea
... 365, 365a. Elath. 365b . "lofty tree," a city and harbor on the Red Sea.
Transliteration: Elath Short Definition: Elath. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/365a.htm - 5k

359. Eloth -- "grove of lofty trees"
... Word Origin from ayil Definition "grove of lofty trees," the same location as
NH0365a NASB Word Usage Elath (1), Eloth (3). Elath, Eloth. ...
/hebrew/359.htm - 6k

365b. ayyeleth -- ayyeleth or ayyalah
... ayyeleth or ayyalah. 366 . ayyeleth or ayyalah. Transliteration: ayyeleth or ayyalah
Short Definition: Elath. Word Origin the same as ayyalah, qv. 365a, 365b ...
/hebrew/365b.htm - 5k

Chapter xiv
... Some seek to identify this El Paran with Elath on the Gulf of Akaba. In that
case 'eyl, which means "terebinth" or "large tree" generally ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Lydda
... Now these were the bounds of it; Elath on the south; Acrabatta on the north; Lydda
on the west; and Jordan on the east." The Gloss; "The wise men appointed ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 16 lydda.htm

The Poison and the Antidote
... The neighbourhood of Elath at the head of the gulf is still infested with venomous
serpents, 'marked with fiery red spots,' from which, or possibly from the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... that city a long while, making but a small progress, on account of the strength
of its walls; and when the king of Syria had taken the city Elath, upon the Red ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

Chapter xxv
... "Medan," five days' journey south of Aila (Elath) which lies at the head of
the Gulf of Akabah, located on the eastern shore of the Gulf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... The spices of Arabia, the gold of Africa, were unshipped at Elath and Ezion-gaber,
and carried from thence on the backs of camels to the nations of the north. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Chapter xxxvi
... correct in calling the first list of chiefs "historic-genealogic" and our list
"geographic-statistic." Then Elah (v.41) may be identical with Elath (De 2:8) on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... The subjection of the country was complete, for, later on, the Hebrew chronicler
tells of the conquest of Elath by King Azariah, son of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:22 ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Elath (6 Occurrences)
...ELATH; ELOTH. e'-lath, or e'-loth ('eloth, 'elath; Ailon (Deuteronomy 2:8), Ailath
(2 Kings 16:6)): A seaport on the Red Sea in the territory of Edom. ...
/e/elath.htm - 10k

Eloth (3 Occurrences)
...ELATH; ELOTH. e'-lath, or e'-loth ('eloth, 'elath; Ailon (Deuteronomy 2:8), Ailath
(2 Kings 16:6)): A seaport on the Red Sea in the territory of Edom. ...
/e/eloth.htm - 9k

Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... Rezin had to content himself on this campaign to the South with the capture of Elath
from the men of Judah and its restoration to the men of Edom, from whom it ...
/r/rezin.htm - 13k

Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)
... which runs out into the sea), an ancient city and harbour at the north-east end
of the Elanitic branch of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Akabah, near Elath or Eloth ...
/e/ezion-geber.htm - 10k

Eziongeber (3 Occurrences)
... which runs out into the sea), an ancient city and harbour at the north-east end
of the Elanitic branch of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Akabah, near Elath or Eloth ...
/e/eziongeber.htm - 9k

Judeans (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove
the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this ...
/j/judeans.htm - 6k

E'domites (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove
the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this ...
/e/e'domites.htm - 9k

Drave (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave
the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this ...
/d/drave.htm - 10k

Cleared (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove
the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this ...
/c/cleared.htm - 11k

Edomites (22 Occurrences)
... The southern border ran by Elath and Ezion-geber (Deuteronomy 2:8). On the West
of the `Arabah the north boundary of Edom is determined by the south border of ...
/e/edomites.htm - 23k

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