E'lath. (a grove). The name of a town of the land of Edom, commonly mentioned with Ezion-geber, and situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf, which was, thence, called the Elanitic Gulf. It first occurs in the account of the wanderings, Deuteronomy 2:8, and in later times, must have come under the rule of David. 2 Samuel 8:14.
We find the place named again, in connection with Solomon's navy. 1 Kings 9:26. Compare 2 Chronicles 8:17. In the Roman period, it became a frontier town of the south, and the residence of a Christian bishop. The Arabic name is Eyleh, and palm groves still exist there, after which it was named.