# Gilgal #

## Facts: ##

The term 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: [Translate Names](https://git.door43.org/Door43/en-ta-translate-vol1/src/master/content/translate_names.md))

(See also: [elijah](../other/elijah.md), , [elisha](../other/elisha.md) **·** [jericho](../other/jericho.md) **·** [jordanriver](../other/jordanriver.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [1 Samuel 07:15-17](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1sa/07/15)
* [2 Kings 02:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/2ki/02/01)
* [Hosea 04:15-16](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/hos/04/15)
* [Judges 02:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jdg/02/01)