Elath; Eloth
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [1]
ē´lath , or ē´loth ( אילות , 'ēlōth , אילת , 'ēlath ; Αἰλών , Ailō̇n ( Deuteronomy 2:8 ), Αἰλάθ , Ailáth ( 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 Ailōn in the Septuagint, and in Josephus as Ilanis ( Ant. , VIII, vi, 4), while Eusebius ( Onomasticon ) has Αΐλά , Ailá ̌ . From this we may gather that the Aramaic Ilān or Ilānā was in use as well as the Hebrew 'ēlath or 'ēlōth ̌ . 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 , 2 Kings 14:10 , 2 Kings 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 ( 2 Kings 16:6 ). It is identical with the modern ‛Aḳaba , at the head of the gulf of that name.
