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GILGAL.—A name meaning ‘stone circle’ applied to several places mentioned in the OT. 1. A place on the east border of Jericho (Jos_4:19), where the Israelites first encamped after crossing Jordan, and which remained the headquarters of the congregation till after the rout of the northern kings at Merom (Jos_14:6). The stone circle from which it certainly took its name (in spite of the impossible etymology given in Jos_5:9), was no doubt that to which the tradition embodied in Jos_4:20 refers, and the same as the ‘images’ by Gilgal in the story of Ehud (Jdg_3:19 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ). The name is still preserved in the modern Jiljûlieh. This is probably the same Gilgal as that included in the annual circuit of Samuel (1Sa_7:16). This shrine is mentioned by Hosea (Hos_4:16; Hos_9:16; Hos_12:11) and by Amos (Amo_4:4; Amo_5:6). 2. A place of the same name near Dor mentioned in a list of conquered kings (Jos_12:23). It may be Jiljûlieh, about 4 miles N. of Antipatris (Ras el-’Ain). 3. A place in the Samaritan mountains (2Ki_4:38), somewhere near Bethel (2:1). It may possibly be Jiljîlia, 8 miles N. W. of Bethel. 4. The Gilgal of Deu_11:30 is unknown. It may be identical with No. 1; but it seems closely connected with Ebal and Gerizim. There is a Juleijil 21/2 miles S. E. of Nâhlus that may represent this place. 5. A place of uncertain locality, also possibly the same as No. 1, in the border of the tribe of Judah (Jos_15:7).
At none of these places have any remains of early antiquity been as yet observed. There was in a.d. 700 a large church that covered what were said to be the twelve commemoration stones of Joshua: this is reported by Arculf. The church and stones have both disappeared. The only relic of antiquity now to be seen is a large pool, probably of mediæval workmanship, 100 ft. by 84 ft. A tradition evidently suggested by the Biblical story of the fall of Jericho is recorded by Conder as having been related to him here.
R. A. S. Macalister.