Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical and Historical Context:Ramothgilead, often referred to simply as Ramoth, is a significant city located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. It is situated in the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad, as described in the Old Testament. The city is strategically positioned in the mountainous area of Gilead, which made it an important military and administrative center in ancient Israel.
Biblical Significance:Ramothgilead holds considerable importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of Israel's military and political history. It is frequently mentioned in the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah.
1.
City of Refuge: Ramothgilead was designated as one of the cities of refuge, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. According to
Deuteronomy 4:43 and
Joshua 20:8, it served as a sanctuary for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, providing them protection from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted.
2.
Military Campaigns: The city is prominently featured in the accounts of the battles between Israel and the Arameans (Syrians). In
1 Kings 22, King Ahab of Israel sought to reclaim Ramothgilead from the Arameans, enlisting the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Despite the prophetic warning from Micaiah, Ahab proceeded with the campaign and ultimately met his demise in battle. The Berean Standard Bible records this event: "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead" (
1 Kings 22:29).
3.
Jehoram and Ahaziah: The city continued to be a focal point in the ongoing conflict with the Arameans. In
2 Kings 8:28-29, King Ahaziah of Judah joined King Joram (Jehoram) of Israel in a campaign against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramothgilead. Joram was wounded in the battle, leading to a series of events that culminated in the anointing of Jehu as king of Israel and the subsequent overthrow of the house of Ahab.
4.
Jehu's Anointing: Ramothgilead is also the setting for a pivotal moment in Israel's history—the anointing of Jehu as king. In
2 Kings 9:1-6, the prophet Elisha sent a young prophet to Ramothgilead to anoint Jehu, a commander in the army, as king over Israel. This act initiated a divinely ordained coup against the house of Ahab, fulfilling the prophecy against Jezebel and her descendants.
Theological Implications:Ramothgilead serves as a backdrop for several key theological themes in the Bible. It illustrates the concept of divine justice and mercy through its role as a city of refuge, highlighting God's provision for both justice and protection. The city's involvement in the conflicts between Israel and Aram underscores the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and the fulfillment of prophetic words. The anointing of Jehu at Ramothgilead exemplifies God's intervention in history to bring about His purposes, demonstrating His authority over kings and kingdoms.
Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of Ramothgilead remains uncertain, it is generally associated with the modern site of Tell er-Rumeith in Jordan. Archaeological excavations in the region have provided insights into the historical and cultural context of Gilead during the biblical period, although definitive identification of the site as Ramothgilead is still a matter of scholarly debate.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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 ofJelad , exactly identical with the ancient Hebrew Gilead, which is four or five miles north ofes-Salt , 25 miles east of the Jordan and 13 miles south of the brook Jabbok.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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. (seeRAMATH-MIZPEH.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAMOTH-GILEADra'-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 4:43Joshua 20:8). It was assigned to the Merarite Levites (Joshua 21:381 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 in1 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 22:1-402 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 8:282 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 9:12 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 by2 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
Library
Jehoshaphat
... In response, Ahab called together four hundred of the false prophets of Samaria,
and asked of them, "Shall we go toRamothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear...
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 toRamothgilead to anoint...
Thesaurus
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?
...Ramoth (30 Occurrences)
Bars (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, inRamothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region...
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 ....
Walls (152 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, inRamothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region...
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 atRamothgilead? And one said...
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 toRamothgilead: (KJV WBS)....
Brazen (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, inRamothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region...
Argob (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, inRamothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region...
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