GIBEON

gibeon, a town in palestine whose inhabitants wrested a truce from joshua by a trick (josh. ix., x.); where the champions of david fought those of ish-bosheth (2 sam. ii. 12-32); where joab murdered amasa (ib. xx. 8-10); and where johanan went against ishmael to avenge the murder of gedaliah (jer. xli. 12). here was an important high place (1 kings iii. 4) where for a time the tabernacle was deposited (2 chron. i. 3). the present name is _el-jib_; this is a small village about 5 m. n.w. of jerusalem, standing on an isolated hill above a flat corn valley. the village is famous for its springs, and the reputation seems ancient (cf. 2 sam. ii. 13; jer. xli. 12). the principal spring issues from under a cliff on the south-east side of the hill, and the water runs to a reservoir lower down. the sides of the hill are rocky, and remarkable for the regular stratification of the limestone, which gives the hill at a distance the appearance of being terraced. scattered olive groves surround the place. (r. a. s. m.)