Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Ramoth, also known as Ramoth-Gilead, is a significant city mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, and is often associated with the tribes of Gad and Manasseh. Ramoth holds historical and theological importance as a city of refuge and a site of various biblical events.
Biblical References:Ramoth is first mentioned in the context of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. In
Deuteronomy 4:43, it is designated as one of the cities of refuge: "Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites." This designation provided a place of asylum for those who had committed unintentional manslaughter, allowing them to escape the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted.
In the historical narratives, Ramoth-Gilead is frequently mentioned in the context of military conflicts. It was a strategically important city due to its location and fortifications. In
1 Kings 22, King Ahab of Israel sought to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Arameans. He allied with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to wage war against the city. Despite the alliance, Ahab was killed in the battle, fulfilling the prophecy of Micaiah, the prophet who had warned against the campaign.
The city is again mentioned in
2 Kings 9, where it serves as the backdrop for the anointing of Jehu as king of Israel. Elisha the prophet sends a young prophet to Ramoth-Gilead to anoint Jehu, who was a commander in the army, as king. This event marks the beginning of Jehu's violent purge of the house of Ahab, as he fulfills God's judgment against Ahab's family.
Theological Significance:Ramoth-Gilead's role as a city of refuge underscores the biblical principle of justice tempered with mercy. The cities of refuge were established by God to ensure that those who committed accidental manslaughter could find protection and a fair trial, reflecting God's concern for justice and the sanctity of life.
The military events associated with Ramoth-Gilead highlight the themes of prophecy and divine sovereignty. The accounts of Ahab's death and Jehu's anointing demonstrate the fulfillment of God's word through His prophets, emphasizing that God's purposes will prevail despite human plans and alliances.
Archaeological and Historical Context:While the exact location of Ramoth-Gilead is debated, it is generally believed to be in the modern-day region of Jordan. Archaeological evidence in the area provides insight into the ancient fortifications and settlements that would have existed during the biblical period. The strategic importance of the site is corroborated by its repeated mention in military contexts within the biblical narrative.
Conclusion:Ramoth-Gilead remains a significant site in biblical history, serving as a city of refuge and a focal point in the narratives of Israel's monarchy. Its mention in the Bible provides valuable insights into the themes of justice, prophecy, and divine sovereignty, which are central to the biblical message.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ramotheminences; high places
ATS Bible Dictionary
RamothA famous city in the mountains of Gilead; often called RamothGilead, and sometimes Ramath-Mizpeh, or the Watchtower,Joshua 13:26. It belonged to Gad, was assigned to the Levites, and became one of the cities of refuge beyond Jordan, De 4:43Joshua 20:8 21:38. It was famous during the reigns of the later kings of Israel, and was the occasion of several wars between these princes and the kings of Damascus, who had conquered it, and from whom the kings of Israel endeavored to regain it. Here Ahad died, Joram was wounded, and Jehu was anointed king of Israel,1 Kings 22:1-532 Kings 8:28,29 9:1-142 Chronicles 22:5,6.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Heights. A Levitical city in the tribe of Issachar (
1 Samuel 30:27;
1 Chronicles 6:73), the same as Jarmuth (
Joshua 21:29) and Remeth (q.v.), 19:21.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAMOTH (1)ra'-moth:
(1) ra'moth; he Rhamoth: A city in the territory of Issachar assigned to the Gershonite Levitea (1 Chronicles 6:73), mentioned between Daberath and Anem. It seems to correspond to "Remeth" inJoshua 19:21, and to "Jarmuth" in 21:29, and is possibly identical with er-Rameh about 11 miles Southwest of Jenin.
(2) Ramoth of the South.
SeeRAMAH, (5).
(3) Ramoth in Gilead.
SeeRAMOTH-GILEAD.
RAMOTH (2)
ra'-moth (ramoth, Qere for yeremoth (Ezra 10:29 the King James Version); the Revised Version margin Kethibh makes the name similar to those inEzra 10:26, 27): One of the offenders in the matter of foreign marriages. The English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version, adopting Kethibh, read JEREMOTH (which see).
RAMOTH (3)
(Job 28:18 King James Version margin).
SeeSTONES, PRECIOUS.
SOUTH RAMOTH
SeeRAMOTH.
Strong's Hebrew
7433.Ramoth Gilad -- a city East of the JordanRamoth Gilad or
Ramoth Gilad. 7432, 7433.
Ramoth Gilad or
Ramoth Gilad.
7434 . a city East of the Jordan. Transliteration:
Ramoth...7216.Ramoth -- "heights," the name of several cities in Isr.
Ramoth orRamoth. 7215, 7216.Ramoth orRamoth. 7217 . "heights,"
the name of several cities in Isr. Transliteration:Ramoth...
7418.Ramoth-negeb -- "height of the south," a place in Simeon
Ramoth-negeb. 7417c, 7418.Ramoth-negeb. 7419 . "height of the south,"
a place in Simeon. Transliteration:Ramoth-negeb Phonetic...
7215.ramoth -- perhaps corals
... 7214, 7215.ramoth. 7216 . perhaps corals. Transliteration:ramoth Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-maw') Short Definition: coral.... 7214, 7215.ramoth. 7216 ....
3406. Yerimoth -- the name of a number of Isr.
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition the name of a number of Isr. NASB
Word Usage Jeremoth (8), Jerimoth (6). Jermoth, Jerimoth, andRamoth....
Library
Micaiah's Courage in Telling the Truth
... in the third year, when Jehoshaphat the ruler of Judah came to visit the ruler of
Israel, Ahab said to his followers, "Do you not know thatRamoth in Gilead...
Self-Destruction
... the door. He consulted all his false prophets as to whether or not he should
go to attack the Syrians atRamoth-Gilead. They knew...
The End of Ahab's Selfish Family
... the prophet called one of the followers of the prophets and said to him, "Tighten
your belt, take this flask of oil in your hand and go toRamoth in Gilead....
How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as...
... 1. Now Joram, the king of Israel, after the death of Benhadad, hoped that he
might now takeRamoth, a city of Gilead, from the Syrians....
Unpossessed Possessions
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS UNPOSSESSED POSSESSIONS. 'And the king of Israel said unto
his servants, Know ye thatRamoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and...
Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an...
... and of slain beasts; and desired that he would join with him in his war against
the king of Syria, that he might recover from him the cityRamoth, in Gilead...
Six Cities
... "ROCK of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee!". [Illustration:
Ramoth]. Fifth City"Ramoth.RAMOTH was situated in Gilead...
The Cities of Refuge
... 8. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the
wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, andRamoth in Gilead out...
The Six Cities.
... And on the other side Jordan, by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the
wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, andRamoth in Gilead out of...
The Gospel Refuge.
... KEDESH, Holiness. SHECHEM, Shoulder. HEBRON, Fellowship. BEZER, Stronghold.
RAMOTH, Exaltation. GOLAN, Joy. What a complete Saviour!...
Thesaurus
Ramoth (30 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
RAMOTH (1).
... (2)
Ramoth of the South. See RAMAH,
(5). (3)
Ramoth in Gilead. See
RAMOTH-GILEAD.
RAMOTH (2).
...Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)
Ramoth-gilead. Ramothgilead,Ramoth-gilead. Ra'moth-gil'ead . Easton's Bible
Dictionary... (see RAMATH-MIZPEH.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.RAMOTH-GILEAD...
Shemi'ramoth (4 Occurrences)
Shemi'ramoth. Shemiramoth, Shemi'ramoth. Shemites . Multi-Version
Concordance Shemi'ramoth (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles...
Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)
... Heights of Gilead, a city of refuge on the east of Jordan; called "Ramoth in
Gilead" (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38)....RAMOTH-GILEAD....
Victorious (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:12 All the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up toRamoth Gilead, and
prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king." (See NIV)....
Forbear (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four
hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go againstRamoth Gilead to battle, or...
Refrain (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four
hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go againstRamoth Gilead to battle, or...
Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)
... belonging to the "children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites" (Joshua
21:29); in the duplicate list in 1 Chronicles 6:73 we haveRamoth, while in the...
Triumph (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:12 All the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up toRamoth Gilead, and
prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king." (See RSV)....
Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat: 'Wilt thou go with me to battle to
Ramoth-gilead?' And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel: 'I am as thou art, my...
Resources
What is the significance of the land of Gilead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God use a lying spirit to deceive Ahab? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Micaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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