Ramothgilead

(heights of Gilead), one of the great fastnesses on the east of jordan, and the key to an important district. (1 Kings 4:13) It was the city of refuge for the tribe of Gad, (4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38) and the residence of one of Solomon's commissariat officers. (1 Kings 4:13) During the invasion related in (1 Kings 15:20) or some subsequent incursion, this important place had seized by Ben-hadad I., king of Syria. The incidents of Ahab's expedition are well known. [AHAB] Later it was taken by Israel, and held in spite of all the efforts of Hazael who was now on the throne of Damascus, to regain it. (2 Kings 9:14) Henceforward Ramoth-gilead disappears from our view. Eusebius and Jerome specify the position of Ramoth as 15 miles from Philadelphia (Amman). It may correspond to the site bearing the name of Jelad , exactly identical with the ancient Hebrew Gilead, which is four or five miles north of es-Salt , 25 miles east of the Jordan and 13 miles south of the brook Jabbok.

Heights of Gilead, a city of refuge on the east of Jordan; called "Ramoth in Gilead" (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38). Here Ahab, who joined Jehoshaphat in an endeavour to rescue it from the hands of the king of Syria, was mortally wounded (1 Kings 22:1-36). A similar attempt was afterwards made by Ahaziah and Joram, when the latter was wounded (2 Kings 8:28). In this city Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, was anointed by one of the sons of the prophets (9:1, 4).

It has with probability been identified with Reimun, on the northern slope of the Jabbok, about 5 miles west of Jerash or Gerasa, one of the cities of Decapolis. Others identify it with Gerosh, about 25 miles north-east of es-Salt, with which also many have identified it. (see RAMATH-MIZPEH.)

RAMOTH-GILEAD

ra'-moth-gil'-e-ad (ramoth gil'adh; Codex Vaticanus Rhemmath Galadd; Codex Alexandrinus Rhammoth, and other forms): A great and strong city East of the Jordan in the territory of Gad, which played an important part in the wars of Israel. It is first mentioned in connection with the appointment of the Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 4:43 Joshua 20:8). It was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Joshua 21:38 1 Chronicles 6:80). In these four passages it is called "Ramoth in Gilead" (ramoth ba-gil'adh). This form is given wrongly by the King James Version in 1 Kings 22:3. In all other places the form "Ramoth-gilead" is used.e to the shape of a jaw-bone (Judges 15:9, 14, 19). It may have been in Wady es-Sarar, not far from Zorah and Timnath; but the available data do not permit of certain identification.

1. History:

Here Ben-geber was placed in charge of one of Solomon's administrative districts (1 Kings 4:13), which included Havvoth-jair and "the region of Argob, which is in Bashan." The city was taken from Omri by the Syrians under Ben-hadad I (Ant., VIII, xv, 3;), and even after the defeat of Ben-hadad at Aphek they remained masters of this fortress. In order to recover it for Israel Ahab invited Jehoshaphat of Judah to accompany him in a campaign. Despite the discouragement of Micalab, the royal pair set out on the disastrous enterprise. In their attack on the city Ahab fought in disguise, but was mortally wounded by an arrow from a bow drawn "at a venture" (1 Kings 22:1-40 2 Chronicles 18). The attempt was renewed by Ahab's son Joram; but his father's ill fortune followed him, and, heavily wounded, he retired for healing to Jezreel (2 Kings 8:28 2 Chronicles 22:5 f). During the king's absence from the camp at Ramoth-gilead Jehu was there anointed king of Israel by Elisha (2 Kings 9:1 2 Chronicles 22:7). He proved a swift instrument of vengeance against the doomed house of Ahab. According to Josephus (Ant., IX, vi, 1) the city was taken before Joram's departure. This is confirmed by 2 Kings 9:14;. The place is not mentioned again, unless, indeed, it be identical with "Mizpeh" in 1 Maccabees 5:35.

2. Identification:

It is just possible that Ramoth-gilead corresponds to MIZPAH, (1), and to RAMATH-MIZPEH. The spot where Laban and Jacob parted is called both Galeed and Mizpah. Ramath may become Ramoth, as we see in the case of Ramah of the South.

Merrill identifies the city with Jerash, the splendid ruins of which lie in Wady ed-Deir, North of the Jabbok. He quotes the Bah Talmud (Makkoth 9b) as placing the Cities of Refuge in pairs, so that those on the East of the Jordan are opposite those on the West Shechem, being the middle one of the three West of the Jordan, should have Ramorb-gilead nearly opposite to it on the East, and this would place its site at Gerasa, the modern Jerash (Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, under the word). But the words of the Talmud must not be interpreted too strictly. It seems very probable that Golan lay far South of a line drawn due East from Qedes (Kedesh-naphtali). No remains have been discovered at Jerash older than Greek-Roman times, although the presence of a fine perennial spring makes occupation in antiquity probable. The place could be approached by chariots along Wady `Ajlun, and the country adjoining was not unsuitable for chariot evolutions.

Conder and others have suggested Reimun, an ancient site to the West of Jerash. The absence of any source of good water-supply is practically fatal to this identification. Buhl (Geographic des Alten Palestina, 261;) favors el-Jil`ad, a ruined site on a hill South of the Jabbok; see GILEAD, (1). Eusebius and Jerome (Onomasticon, under the word) contradict each other, the former placing Ramoth-gilead 15 miles West, and the latter 15 miles East of Philadelphia. It is clear, however, that this is a mere slip on Jerome's part, as both say it is near the Jabbok. Many have identified it with es-Salt, which is indeed 15 miles West of `Amman (Philadelphia), but it is 10 miles South of the Jabbok, and so can hardly be described as near that river. It is also no place for chariot warfare. The case against identification with Ramoth-gilead is conclusively stated by G.A. Cooke in Driver's Deuteronomy, xx.

In suggesting these sites sufficient attention has not been given to what is said in 1 Kings 4. The authority of the king's officer in Ramoth-gilead extended over the land of Argob in Bashan, as well as over the towns of Jair in Gilead. A situation therefore to the North of Mahanaim must be sought. Guthe would find it at er-Remtheh, on the pilgrim road, about 10 miles South of Mezerib (compare Smith, Historical Geography of the Holy Land, 586;). Cheyne's suggestion of Salkhad, away on the crest of the mountain of Bashan, is out of the question. Caleb Hauser (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1906, 304) argues in favor of Beit Ras, over 11 miles Southeast of Gadara, a position commanding all Northern Gilead and as favorably situated as Jerash for chariot warfare and communication with the West of Jordan. "Here we have the heights of Northern Gilead. Ramoth, Capitolias, and Beit Ras are in their respective languages idiomatic equivalents. It is improbable that a large city like Capitolins should have superseded anything but a very important city of earlier times." We must be content to leave the question open meantime.

W. Ewing

Jehoshaphat
... In response, Ahab called together four hundred of the false prophets of Samaria,
and asked of them, "Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... 4. While Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel, the prophet Elisha was divinely
directed to send one of the sons of the prophets to Ramothgilead to anoint ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)
... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences). ... 1 Kings 22:4 And
he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? ...
/r/ramothgilead.htm - 19k

Ramoth (30 Occurrences)

/r/ramoth.htm - 18k

Bars (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region ...
/b/bars.htm - 22k

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)
Ramoth-gilead. Ramothgilead, Ramoth-gilead. Ra'moth-gil'ead . ... (See JPS ASV BBE
DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Ramothgilead, Ramoth-gilead. Ra'moth-gil'ead . ...
/r/ramoth-gilead.htm - 20k

Walls (152 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region ...
/w/walls.htm - 38k

Persuade (20 Occurrences)
... See NAS RSV). 1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab,
that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said ...
/p/persuade.htm - 15k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins,
and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead: (KJV WBS). ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Brazen (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region ...
/b/brazen.htm - 25k

Argob (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region ...
/a/argob.htm - 15k

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)

1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brazen bars:
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
(KJV)

2 Kings 8:28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
(KJV)

2 Kings 9:1 And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:
(KJV)

2 Kings 9:4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.
(KJV)

2 Kings 9:14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 22:5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
(KJV)

Ramothgilead

Ramoth (30 Occurrences)

Bars (50 Occurrences)

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)

Walls (152 Occurrences)

Persuade (20 Occurrences)

Box (13 Occurrences)

Brazen (42 Occurrences)

Argob (6 Occurrences)

Persuaded (40 Occurrences)

Threescore (87 Occurrences)

Bar (27 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Bashan (54 Occurrences)

Region (96 Occurrences)

Wall (227 Occurrences)

King's (375 Occurrences)

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus