Gilgal

Lore & Background

Gilgal first appears as a landmark in the plains of Moreh, opposite the Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 11:30). After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites encamped at Gilgal on the tenth day of the first month (Joshua 4:19), and Joshua set up twelve stones taken from the riverbed there (Joshua 4:20). At Gilgal, the Lord declared that the reproach of Egypt was rolled away, giving the place its name (Joshua 5:9), and the people kept the Passover in the plains of Jericho (Joshua 5:10). Gilgal served as a military and judicial base. The Gibeonites came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal to make a league (Joshua 9:6), and Joshua later ascended from Gilgal to rescue Gibeon from the Amorite kings (Joshua 10:6-7), returning to the camp at Gilgal after victories (Joshua 10:15, 43). The angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim to remind Israel of God's covenant (Judges 2:1). In the time of Samuel, Gilgal was a circuit town for judging Israel (1 Samuel 7:16). Samuel instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for him to offer sacrifices (1 Samuel 10:8). Saul was made king there before the Lord (1 Samuel 11:15), and later Saul's impatience at Gilgal led to his rebuke (1 Samuel 13:8-12). Samuel also confronted Saul at Gilgal regarding the incomplete destruction of the Amalekite spoil (1 Samuel 15:12, 21).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Gilgal as a multifaceted site: a memorial of the Jordan crossing, a place of divine renaming, a military encampment, a judicial center, and a location for national covenant ceremonies. It is consistently linked to foundational events in Israel's early history in Canaan—from the first Passover in the land (Joshua 5:10) to the anointing of the first king (1 Samuel 11:15). The site also becomes a place of testing for Saul, where his failure to wait for Samuel leads to consequences (1 Samuel 13:8-12). The angel's departure from Gilgal to Bochim (Judges 2:1) underscores its role as a starting point for divine messages. Notably, Gilgal is also listed among conquered kings (Joshua 12:23) and appears as a border landmark (Joshua 15:7). The passages do not specify its exact location beyond being east of Jericho and near the Jordan.

Did You Know?

• Gilgal is named because the Lord rolled away the reproach of Egypt there (Joshua 5:9).
• The twelve stones from the Jordan were set up by Joshua at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20).
• Saul was made king at Gilgal before the Lord (1 Samuel 11:15).
• An angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim (Judges 2:1).