Bible Dictionaries
Ezion-Geber (2)

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ee' zih ahn-geh' buhr); A port city of Edom located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Aqabah. It is first mentioned in the Bible among the cities on the route of the Exodus (Numbers 33:35-36; Deuteronomy 2:8 ). Solomon utilized this city for ship-building purposes. During this time it was a port from which ships manned by Phoenician sailors sailed to Ophir for gold and other riches (1 Kings 9:26-28; 1 Kings 10:11 , 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 8:17 ).

Nelson Glueck led excavations of the site of the ancient city and discovered the remains of four towns, the first dating to the time of Solomon. Interestingly, this first city shows evidence of being a carefully laid out complex built at one time according to a plan, rather than gradually. A notable feature of this first town was a series of structures with flues and air ducts in the floors and walls. Gleuck concluded that this city was a refinery for the copper and iron which were mined in the area. However, in 1962Rothenburg challenged this view and persuaded Glueck that the remains indicate that the city was a large storehouse for grain and supplies.

After the division of the kingdom, the city fell to the kingdom of Judah. It was destroyed probably during the invasion of Palestine by Shishak (925 B.C.). The city was rebuilt by Jehoshaphat, king of Judah who attempted a similar enterprise as Solomon, but with disastrous results (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 ). The city was again destroyed in the reign of Jehoram when the Edomites revolted (2 Kings 8:20-22 ). Azariah rebuilt the city, and according to many scholars it was renamed Elath (2 Kings 14:22; 2 Chronicles 26:2 ), though recent study sees Elath as a separate city. During the reign of Uzziah, the Edomites regained possession of the city. From that time on the city remained under the control of the Edomites. It was abandoned sometime between the eighth and fourth centuries B.C. and was never rebuilt.

Recent archaeological study has questioned the identification of Ezion-geber with tell el-Kheleifeh. Its lack of a good harbor and of the proper pottery finds has led to exploration of the island of Jezirat Faraun, where a natural harbor exists. Also known as Pharaoh's Island and Coral Island, it is seven miles south of modern Eilat and 900 feet offshore from the Sinai Peninsula. The island Isaiah 1,000 feet from north to south and 200 feet from east to west. It may have served as the harbor and port, while tell el-Kheleifeh was Elath. See Commerce; Elath .

Paul E. Robertson