Ezion-Geber is a significant location mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings and the reign of King Solomon. It is often associated with maritime activities and trade, reflecting its strategic importance in ancient times.

Biblical References:

1. Wilderness Wanderings: Ezion-Geber is first mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In Numbers 33:35-36 , it is recorded as one of the stations where the Israelites camped: "They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion-geber. They set out from Ezion-geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh."

2. Solomon's Reign: The location gains further prominence during the reign of King Solomon. In 1 Kings 9:26 , it is noted for its role in Solomon's maritime ventures: "King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom." This indicates that Ezion-Geber served as a port city, facilitating trade and commerce.

3. Jehoshaphat's Fleet: The site is also mentioned in relation to King Jehoshaphat of Judah. In 1 Kings 22:48 , it is recorded that Jehoshaphat attempted to build ships at Ezion-Geber for trade with Ophir, but the venture was unsuccessful: "Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail, because the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber."

Geographical and Historical Context:

Ezion-Geber is traditionally identified with a location near the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, part of the Red Sea. Its proximity to the sea made it an ideal site for shipbuilding and trade. The association with Eloth (or Elat) further underscores its importance as a hub for commerce and interaction with other nations.

The strategic location of Ezion-Geber allowed it to serve as a gateway for trade routes extending into Arabia and beyond. This facilitated the exchange of goods such as gold, spices, and other valuable commodities, contributing to the wealth and prosperity of Israel during Solomon's reign.

Archaeological Insights:

Archaeological excavations in the region have provided insights into the historical significance of Ezion-Geber. The site is often associated with Tell el-Kheleifeh, where remains of ancient fortifications and industrial installations have been discovered. These findings suggest that Ezion-Geber was not only a port but also a center for copper smelting and other industrial activities.

Theological Significance:

Ezion-Geber's mention in the biblical narrative highlights themes of divine provision and guidance during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. It also reflects the wisdom and ambition of Solomon's reign, as he sought to expand Israel's influence through maritime trade. The unsuccessful venture of Jehoshaphat serves as a reminder of the limitations of human endeavors without divine blessing.

In summary, Ezion-Geber stands as a testament to the historical and theological richness of the biblical narrative, illustrating the interplay between divine providence, human ambition, and the unfolding of God's purposes in history.Ezion-Geber

the wood of the man

The giant's backbone (so called from the head of a mountain which runs out into the sea), an ancient city and harbour at the north-east end of the Elanitic branch of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Akabah, near Elath or Eloth (Numbers 33:35; Deuteronomy 2:8). Here Solomon built ships, "Tarshish ships," like those trading from Tyre to Tarshish and the west, which traded with Ophir (1 Kings 9:26; 2 Chronicles 8:17); and here also Jehoshaphat's fleet was shipwrecked (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:36). It became a populous town, many of the Jews settling in it (2 Kings 16:6, "Elath"). It is supposed that anciently the north end of the gulf flowed further into the country than now, as far as `Ain el-Ghudyan, which is 10 miles up the dry bed of the Arabah, and that Ezion-geber may have been there. EZION-GEBER

e-zi-on-ge'-ber ('etsyon gebher; Gasion Gaber):

Always mentioned along with Elath ("Eziongaber," Numbers 33:35 the King James Version). When the children of Israel left "the way of the Arabah," having come from the Northwest, they seem to have turned to the Northeast from the neighborhood of `Aqaba, passing up by Wady el-Ithm toward the eastern desert (Deuteronomy 2:8). Elath and Ezion-geber were evidently not far apart. They are named together again in connection with the maritime enterprises of Solomon and Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 9:26, etc.). They therefore both lay on the shore of the sea. No trace of Ezion-geber is to be found on the present coast line. It is probable, however, that in ancient times the sea covered a considerable stretch of the mud flats at the South end of Wady el-`Arabah, and the site of Ezion-geber may be sought near the spring `Ain el-Ghudyan, about 15 miles North of the present head of the Gulf of `Aqaba.

W. Ewing

6100. Etsyon Geber -- a city on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba
... a city on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. Transliteration: Etsyon Geber Phonetic
Spelling: (ets-yone' gheh'ber) Short Definition: Ezion-geber. ... Ezion-geber. ...
/hebrew/6100.htm - 6k

Commerce
... For we know (1 Kings 9:26, etc.; 2 Chronicles 8:17, etc.) that King Solomon built
a navy at Ezion-geber, on the Red Sea, which port David had taken. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... which render what we read, that "the ships were broken at Eziongeber, from their ...
as our copies do, that ships of Tarshish could lie at Ezion-geber, upon the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ...
... 4. Moreover, the king built many ships in the Egyptian Bay of the Red Sea, in a
certain place called Ezion-geber: it is now called Berenice, and is not far ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm

Death.
... deserts. And he has talked with sailors from those ships; from Tarshish and
the far Atlantic, or from Ezion-geber and the Indian seas. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xviii death.htm

On Friendship with the World
... He first lost his substance: "The ships" they sent out "were broken at Ezion-geber."
And when he was not content with this warning, as well as that of the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

Results of Transgression
... The commercial advantages of an outlet at the head of the Red Sea were developed
by the construction of "a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, . . . ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... establish a seagoing fleet, but found that peasants could not be turned into sailors
at a day's notice, and the vessel built by him at Eziongeber was wrecked ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... i.19-46. **** The itinerary given in Numbers 20:22-29, xxxi., xxxiii.37-49, and
repeated in Bent, ii., brings the Israelites as far as Ezion-geber, in such a ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Eziongeber (3 Occurrences)
... times the sea covered a considerable stretch of the mud flats at the South end of
Wady el-`Arabah, and the site of Ezion-geber may be ...Eziongeber (3 Occurrences ...
/e/eziongeber.htm - 9k

Ezion-geber (6 Occurrences)
Ezion-geber. Eziongeber, Ezion-geber. E'zion-Ge'ber . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Eziongeber, Ezion-geber. E'zion-Ge'ber . Reference Bible.
/e/ezion-geber.htm - 10k

Geber (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Geber (9 Occurrences). Numbers 33:35 They traveled from
Abronah, and encamped in EzionGeber. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). ...
/g/geber.htm - 10k

Ezion (7 Occurrences)
... Ezion (7 Occurrences). Numbers 33:35 They traveled from Abronah, and encamped
in EzionGeber. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/e/ezion.htm - 8k

E'zion-Ge'ber (6 Occurrences)
E'zion-Ge'ber. Ezion-geber, E'zion-Ge'ber. Eznite . ... E'zion-Ge'ber (6 Occurrences).
Numbers 33:35 They traveled from Abronah, and encamped in EzionGeber. ...
/e/e'zion-ge'ber.htm - 7k

Elath (6 Occurrences)
... the Red Sea. It is first mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:8. It is also mentioned
along with Ezion-geber in 1 Kings 9:26. It was within ...
/e/elath.htm - 10k

Ophir (12 Occurrences)
... name of a land or city somewhere to the South or Southeast of Palestine for which
Solomon's ships along with Phoenician vessels set out from Ezion-geber at the ...
/o/ophir.htm - 16k

Fleet (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 9:26 And king Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion-Geber, which is beside
Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/f/fleet.htm - 9k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... on the Indian coast, seeing that "ships of Tarshish" sailed from Eziongeber, on
the Red ... for gold: but they didn't go; for the ships were broken at EzionGeber. ...
/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Eloth (3 Occurrences)
... It is named along with Ezion-geber in the account of Israel's journey round the
land of Edom (Deuteronomy 2:8). It appears as Ailath, and Alion in the ...
/e/eloth.htm - 9k

Who were the Edomites? | GotQuestions.org

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