Ajalon(aijalon)
“Place of deer or place of oaks”
Summary
A town and valley in the territory of Dan where Joshua commanded the moon to stand still during Israel's battle against the five Amorite kings.
☩Joshua's Miracle
The valley of Ajalon derives its chief fame from Joshua's remarkable command. When Joshua pursued the five Amorite kings, arriving near Upper Beth-horon, he looked back upon Gibeon and down upon the noble valley before him and uttered the celebrated words: 'Sun, stand thou still on Gibeon, and thou moon, in the valley of Ajalon.'
☩Location and Identity
Ajalon was a town in the tribe of Dan, given to the Levites as a city of refuge. The native Amorites retained possession of it for a long time, though reduced to the condition of tributaries by the neighboring Ephraimites. Being on the frontier of the two kingdoms, it is sometimes spoken of as in Ephraim and sometimes in Judah or Benjamin. The ancient name is preserved in the modern village of Yalo, on the side of a long hill skirting the broad wady to the north.
☩Historical Significance
Ajalon was one of the places Rehoboam fortified during his conflicts with the northern kingdom. The Philistines captured it from Ahaz. Saul pursued the routed Philistines from Michmash to this valley, and some of its chiefs later defeated an incursion of Philistines from Gath.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ajalon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).