Bible Dictionaries
Ezion-Geber

Holman Bible Dictionary

A port city on the gulf of Aqabah. Ezion-Geber was the last stopping place before Kadesh during the wilderness wandering (Numbers 33:35-36 ). Under Solomon the city became a major port. Solomon commissioned the building of a fleet of ships there for use in the gold trade (1Kings 9:26,1 Kings 9:28 ). Other goods transported through the port included silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks (1 Kings 10:22 ). After Solomon's death the city reverted to Edomite control. Jehoshopat tried to take advantage of the absence of an Edomite king to base a new fleet in the city (1 Kings 22:48-49 ). The fleet was, however, wrecked (whether by flood, tempest, or the Edomites is unknown).

Three sites have been identified with Ezion-Geber. Some identify the city with Elath. References mentioning both names point to two places (Deuteronomy 2:8; 1 Kings 9:26; 2 Chronicles 8:17 ). Others locate Ezion-Geber at Tell el-Kheleifeh, a site about 500 yards from the coast. This site may represent a satellite city used to store grain, to protect the trade route, or to serve as a stopping place for caravans. Frequent flooding of the Wadi Ytem may have washed away archeological evidence necessary for identification of Ezion-Geber. Still others connect Ezion-Geber with a site on the island of Jezira Fara'un about 300 yards from the shore at Eilat. This site seems an unlikely stopping place during the wilderness wandering.