Places of the Bible

Gilgal

Jordan valley (near Jericho) · Old Testament · 39 verses

Gilgal was a place near Jericho where Israel first camped after crossing the Jordan. Twelve stones were set up there as a memorial. The name appears in Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and 7 more in the King James text.

About Gilgal

Gilgal was a place near Jericho where Israel first camped after crossing the Jordan. Twelve stones were set up there as a memorial.

Its place in the story

At Gilgal Israel set up memorial stones, kept the Passover, and the men were circumcised as the new generation entered the land. It later served as a center in the days of Samuel and Saul, where Saul was confirmed as king.

Gilgal in Scripture (KJV)

“Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?”
Deuteronomy 11:30 (KJV)
“And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.”
Joshua 4:19 (KJV)
“And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.”
Joshua 4:20 (KJV)
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.”
Joshua 5:9 (KJV)
“And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.”
Joshua 5:10 (KJV)
“And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.”
Joshua 9:6 (KJV)
“And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.”
Joshua 10:6 (KJV)
“So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.”
Joshua 10:7 (KJV)

Gilgal is named 39 times in Scripture; 8 shown above.

Where it leads

Gilgal, where a new generation renewed the covenant on entering the land, is part of the story of God's faithfulness that leads to Christ.

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People also ask

Where is Gilgal in the Bible?

Gilgal was a place near Jericho where Israel first camped after crossing the Jordan. Twelve stones were set up there as a memorial. The name appears in Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and 7 more in the King James text.

What happened at Gilgal?

At Gilgal Israel set up memorial stones, kept the Passover, and the men were circumcised as the new generation entered the land. It later served as a center in the days of Samuel and Saul, where Saul was confirmed as king.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).

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