# Gilgal

## Facts:

Gilgal was a town north of Jericho and was the first place that the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River to enter Canaan.

* At Gilgal, Joshua set up twelve stones taken from the dry river bed of the Jordan River that they had just crossed over.
* Gilgal was the city that Elijah and Elisha were leaving as they crossed the Jordan when Elijah was taken up to heaven.
* There were also several other places called "Gilgal" in the Old Testament.
* The word "gilgal" means "circle of stones," perhaps referring to a place where a circular altar was built.
* In the Old Testament, this name almost always occurs as "the gilgal." This may indicate that it was not a specific place name but rather was a description of a certain kind of place.

(Translation suggestions: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]])

(See also: [Elijah](../names/elijah.md), , [Elisha](../names/elisha.md), [Jericho](../names/jericho.md), [Jordan River](../names/jordanriver.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Samuel 07:15-17](rc://en/tn/help/1sa/07/15)
* [2 Kings 02:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/2ki/02/01)
* [Hosea 04:15](rc://en/tn/help/hos/04/15)
* [Judges 02:01](rc://en/tn/help/jdg/02/01)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H1537

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

Gilgal