# 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: [Translate Names](en/ta-vol1/translate/man/translate-names)) (See also: [[../other/elijah.md]], , [[../other/elisha.md]], [[../other/jericho.md]], [[../other/jordanriver.md]]) ## Bible References: ## * [1 Samuel 07:15-17](en/tn/1sa/help/07/15) * [2 Kings 02:1-2](en/tn/2ki/help/02/01) * [Hosea 04:15-16](en/tn/hos/help/04/15) * [Judges 02:1-2](en/tn/jdg/help/02/01)