Ajalon
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Canaanite city located in the Shephelah region, identified with the biblical city of the same name.
What is the meaning of Ajalon in the Bible?
Ajalon was a Canaanite city situated in the territory later allocated to the tribe of Dan, recorded in Joshua 12:23 as one of the royal cities defeated by the Israelites.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Ajalon helps readers visualize the specific geographic boundaries of the tribal allotments and understand the strategic importance of the Shephelah region in the narrative of the Israelite conquest.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Ajalon (located near modern Tell el-Judeideh) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ajalon in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ajalon clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Joshua 12:23
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ajalon." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ajalon/