Idumean port at the northern end of the Ælanitic Gulf, the later Aila. According to the Old Testament, the name of the place is also Elparan. In Deuteronomy 2:8 it is mentioned with Eziongeber (comp. 1 Kings 9:26; 2 Chronicles 8:17). In Solomon's time the city came into the possession of the Israelites, but afterward it was probably taken from them. Later Uzziah reconquered it (2 Kings 14:22; 2 Chronicles 27:2), but under Ahaz it was again lost (2 Kings 16:6). The old city owed its name to the abundance of palms in the vicinity.