Irpeel
LocationsGeographical Setting
A proposed identification for the biblical city of Irpeel, located near the ancient site of Gibeon.
What is the meaning of Irpeel in the Bible?
An ancient settlement in the territory of Benjamin, potentially identified with the ruins at Rafat, situated north of el-Jib, the site of ancient Gibeon.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Irpeel with Rafat clarifies the territorial boundaries of Benjamin and provides geographical context for the narrative events surrounding Gibeon in the Hebrew Bible.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Irpeel (located near modern Rafat) 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 Irpeel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Irpeel clarify?
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
"Irpeel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/irpeel/