אַיָּלוֹן (ay.ya.lon)
ay.ya.lon
Aijalon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun ayjalōn refers to Aijalon, a specific town in ancient Israel rather than a general concept. Its name translates to "field of deer," evoking an image of open grazing land suitable for wildlife. The city is identified as a Levitical settlement within the territory of Dan, located roughly twenty-five kilometers northwest of Jerusalem.
This location holds significant narrative weight in the Old Testament, appearing in nine verses primarily within Joshua, Judges, and Second Chronicles. It serves as a strategic point in military accounts, notably when the Amorites gather there to fight against Israel (Joshua 10:12) and later when King Asa confronts the Ethiopian army (2 Chronicles 14:9). The text highlights its role as a contested border region, shifting control between the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and neighboring powers like the Philistines.
Understanding ayjalōn requires viewing it through its geographical and historical context. It is not used metaphorically but anchors specific events in the conquest and division of the land. The sources consistently treat it as a proper noun, marking it as a key site in the struggles for territorial stability during the early monarchy period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Aijalon means "field of deer," a name that paints a picture of open land where wildlife once roamed freely. In the Bible, this town is not just a dot on a map but a witness to some of Israel's most dramatic moments. It was a Levitical city, set apart for those who served in the tabernacle, reminding us that even places of conflict are part of God's larger plan for His people.
One of its most famous moments comes in Joshua 10:12, where Joshua asks the sun to stand still over the valley of Aijalon. This event shows how God intervenes in history when His people cry out. It is a reminder that our struggles are not isolated; they are part of a story where God fights for justice and provides deliverance when it seems impossible.
Though Aijalon was often a border town subject to change, its presence in Scripture anchors us in the reality of God's faithfulness through generations. It invites us to trust that God is present in both the quiet pasture lands and the chaotic battlefields of our own lives, guiding us through every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Aijalon5×
- in/ Aijalon2×
- and/ Aijalon1×
- Aijalon/ towards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/אַיָּל֖וֹן2×
- וְ/אַיָּל֖וֹן1×
- אַיָּלוֹן֙1×
- אַיָּלֽוֹן\׃1×
- אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה1×
- אַיָּל֜וֹן1×
- אַיָּל֔וֹן1×
- אַיָּל֑וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 10:12
Then Joshua spoke to Yahweh in the day when Yahweh delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!”
This verse records Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still over Aijalon, highlighting the town as the setting for a miraculous intervention in Israel's battle.
-
I Samuel 14:31
They struck the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;
The text notes that Israelite forces pursued the Philistines as far as Aijalon, showing its role as a key point in military campaigns during the time of Saul.
-
II Chronicles 11:10
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and in Benjamin.
Aijalon is listed among the fortified cities rebuilt by Rehoboam, indicating its strategic importance for the security of Judah and Benjamin after the kingdom split.