Bible Dictionary
AIJALON
Aijalon was a town and valley allotted to Dan and assigned to the Levites. It was the scene of Joshua’s battle and later belonged at various times to Dan, Benjamin, Judah’s kingdom, and the Philistines.
Definition
Aijalon was a town and valley associated chiefly with Dan, and it was also designated a Levitical city for the sons of Kohath. Another Aijalon was a town in Zebulun.
Biblical Usage
The valley of Aijalon appears in Joshua’s defeat of the Amorite kings. The town was later connected with the Danites, Saul and Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines, Benjamin, Rehoboam’s fortifications, and a Philistine capture in Ahaz’s reign.
Historical Background
The principal Aijalon has been identified with modern Yalo, northwest of Jerusalem, in a valley leading from the mountains toward the sea. Its antiquity is reflected in the Tell el-Amarna Letters.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-ja-lon ('ayyalon, "deerplace"; the King James Version, Ajalon (Jos 10:12)):</p><p>(1) The name of a town allotted to the tribe of Da (Jos 19:42), which was also designated a Levitical city (Jos 21:24), which fell to the Sons of Kohath (1Ch 6:69). The first mention of Aijalon is in the narrative of Joshua's defeat of the five Amorite kings: "thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon" (Jos 10:12). The Danites failed to take it from the Amorites (Jud 1:35), although the men of Ephraim held it in vassalage. Here Saul and Jonathan won a great victory over the Philistines (1Sa 14:31). At one time it was held by the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch 8:13). Rehoboam fortified it against the kingdom of Israel (2Ch 11:10). In the days of King Ahaz it was captured by the Philistines (2Ch 28:18). It has been identified with the modern Yalo; its antiquity goes back to Tell el-Amarna Letters, in which it has mention. It Is situated Northwest of Jerusalem in a valley of the same name, which leads down from the mountains to the sea.</p><p>(2) A town in the tribe of Zebulun, site unknown, where Elon the judge was buried (Jud 12:12).</p><p>Edward Mack</p>