Topical Encyclopedia Eglon, a significant city in the biblical narrative, is mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It is one of the cities that faced a siege during the military campaigns led by Joshua, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. The account of the siege of Eglon provides insight into the broader strategy employed by the Israelites as they sought to claim the land promised to them by God.Biblical Context Eglon is first introduced in the Bible in the context of the southern campaign of Joshua. After the miraculous fall of Jericho and the subsequent victory at Ai, Joshua and the Israelites continued their conquest of Canaan. The king of Jerusalem, Adoni-Zedek, alarmed by the success of the Israelites, formed an alliance with four other Amorite kings, including the king of Eglon, to attack the city of Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel (Joshua 10:3-5). The Siege and Conquest In response to the Gibeonite plea for help, Joshua led a surprise attack against the Amorite coalition. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:8). The Israelites marched all night from Gilgal and launched a sudden assault on the Amorite forces at Gibeon. The Lord intervened by causing confusion among the enemy and sending hailstones from heaven, which killed more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11). Following this decisive victory, Joshua and the Israelites pursued the fleeing kings and their armies. The five kings, including the king of Eglon, hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed with large stones and guarded until the pursuit was complete. Afterward, the kings were brought out, executed, and their bodies were hung on trees until evening as a public display of their defeat (Joshua 10:16-27). The Fall of Eglon After dealing with the coalition of kings, Joshua turned his attention to the cities themselves. Eglon was one of the cities that Joshua and the Israelites besieged and captured. The biblical account states, "And they captured it on that day and put it to the sword, and all the people in it he devoted to destruction that day, just as he had done to Lachish" (Joshua 10:35). This act of herem, or devotion to destruction, was part of the divine mandate given to the Israelites to cleanse the land of idolatry and pagan practices. Significance in Israelite History The siege and subsequent capture of Eglon were part of a series of rapid and decisive victories that established Israelite control over southern Canaan. The fall of Eglon demonstrated the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs regarding the land and underscored the importance of obedience to divine commands in achieving success. The narrative of Eglon's siege serves as a testament to the power of God working through His chosen people to accomplish His purposes. Archaeological and Historical Considerations While the exact location of ancient Eglon is debated among scholars, it is generally associated with the archaeological site of Tel Eton in the Shephelah region of Israel. Excavations in this area have revealed evidence of a significant Canaanite city that aligns with the biblical description of Eglon. The historical and archaeological study of Eglon provides valuable context for understanding the broader cultural and geopolitical landscape of Canaan during the Late Bronze Age. In summary, the siege of Eglon is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative of the conquest of Canaan, illustrating the themes of divine intervention, covenant faithfulness, and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 10:34,35And from Lachish Joshua passed to Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it: Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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