Eglon (2)

eg'-lon (`eghlon; Odollam): A royal Canaanite city whose king joined the league headed by Adonizedek of Jerusalem against the Gibeonites, which suffered overwhelming defeat at the hands of Joshua (Jos 10:1-43). Joshua passed from Libnah to Lachish, and from Lachish to Eglon on his way to Hebron (Jos 10:31 ff). It was in the Shephelah of Judah (Jos 15:39). The name seems to be preserved in that of Khirbet `Ajlan, about 10 miles West of Beit Jibrin. Professor Petrie, however, thinks that the site of Tell Nejileh better suits the requirements. While Khirbet `Ajlan is a comparatively modern site, the city at Tell Nejileh must have been contemporary with that at Tell el-Chesy (Lachish). It lies fully three miles Southeast of Tell el-Chesy.

⇒See a list of verses on EGLON in the Bible.

W. Ewing

⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.