Elath; Eloth
LocationsGeographical Setting
Elath was an ancient port city situated at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, serving as a strategic hub for trade and military campaigns in the southern Levant.
What is the meaning of Elath; Eloth in the Bible?
Elath was a seaport on the Red Sea in the territory of Edom, named along with Ezion-geber in the account of Israel's journey round the land of Edom. It appears as Ailath, Alion, Ilanis, and Aila in various texts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Elath clarifies the geopolitical dynamics of the United Monarchy, particularly Solomon's naval alliances with Hiram of Tyre and the subsequent control of Red Sea trade routes by the kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.