Elath, Eloth

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 1min
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Seaport town at the extreme north of the Gulf of Akaba branch of the Red Sea. First mentioned in the wanderings of the Israelites; it was afterward included in the dominion of Solomon, near to which, at Ezion-geber, he had a navy of ships. Afterward we read that it was built by Azariah, and was restored to Judah; but subsequently it was conquered by Rezin and held by the Syrians, until it became a frontier town of Rome (Deut. 2:88And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. (Deuteronomy 2:8); 1 Kings 9:2626And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom. (1 Kings 9:26); 2 Kings 14:2222He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. (2 Kings 14:22); 2 Kings 16:66At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day. (2 Kings 16:6); 2 Chron. 8:1717Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. (2 Chronicles 8:17); 2 Kings 26:2). It was situate about 29° 29' N, 35° 2' E. It has sunk into insignificance. See map under WANDERINGS OF THE ISRAELITES.