Bible Dictionary
Geliloth
Geliloth was a place on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin, near the ascent of Adummim. The name can also mean regions or districts, and its exact location is uncertain.
Definition
Geliloth means “circles,” “regions,” or “districts,” but in one passage it is the name of a place on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin, near the ascent of Adummim.
Biblical Usage
Geliloth marks part of the boundary line of Benjamin. In other passages the related word describes regions, districts, or the area around the Jordan and Philistia.
Historical Background
The place lay beyond En-shemesh and near the road from Jericho toward Tal‘at ed-Dumm. It has not been identified with certainty, and the name may represent Gilgal in the boundary description.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Circles; regions, a place in the border of Benjamin (Josh. 18:17); called Gilgal in 15:7.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(circuit), a place named among the marks of the south boundary line of the tribe of Benjamin. (Joshua 18:17) The name Geliloth never occurs again in this locality, and it therefore seems probable that Gilgal is the right reading.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ge-li'-loth (geliloth): This word is used for "districts" or "circuits" perhaps indicating the different parts subject to the several lords of the Philistines (Jos 13:2, the King James Version "borders," the Revised Version (British and American) "regions"); for the quarter of the Jordan valley where the eastern tribes built the altar of Ed (Jos 22:10 f; the King James Version "border of," the Revised Version (British and American) "region about," Jordan); and apparently, for the whole of Philistia (Joe 3:4, the King James Version "coasts of Palestine," the Revised Version (British and American) "regions of Philistia"). But in Jos 18:17, it is clearly used as a place-name. Geliloth lay on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin which passed En-shemesh (probably `Ain el-Chod, about 2 miles East of Jerusalem), "and went out to Geliloth, which is over against the ascent of Adummim." From this point it "went down" toward the plain. The place cannot therefore be identified with Gilgal in the Jordan valley. Some point on the road leading from Jericho to Tal`at ed-Dumm, about 6 miles from Jerusalem, was probably intended, but no identification is possible.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>