Gihon
“Bursting forth (as a stream)”
Summary
The name of one of the four rivers of Eden, and also a spring near Jerusalem where Solomon was anointed king.
☩River of Eden
Gihon was the second of the four rivers that flowed from the garden of Eden, said to compass the whole land of Cush. Its identification remains uncertain, with various scholars suggesting the Nile, the Oxus, the Araxes, or even the Ganges. The name means 'stream' or 'to burst forth,' describing an impetuous, swiftly-flowing river.
☩Spring at Jerusalem
The other Gihon was a spring near Jerusalem, the site chosen for Solomon's anointing as king in preference to Adonijah who was celebrating at En-rogel nearby. The sound of Solomon's proclamation reached the rival gathering, causing Adonijah's supporters to scatter in fear. Hezekiah later stopped the upper outflow of Gihon's waters and brought them by a conduit to the west side of the City of David, both to provide water during the Assyrian siege and to deny water to the enemy.
Related Verses10 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gihon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Gihon," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Gihon (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gihon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).