עֶגְלוֹן
Eglon, the name of a place in Palestine and of a Moabitish king
Definition
Eglon is a proper noun referring to two distinct entities in the Old Testament. Primarily, it is the name of a Canaanite city-state, a royal city of the Amorites, located in the lowland (Shephelah) region of Judah (Joshua 10:3, 15:39). This city was conquered by Joshua during the Israelite campaign in the land (Joshua 10:34-37). Secondly, Eglon is the name of a king of Moab who, with the help of the Ammonites and Amalekites, oppressed Israel for eighteen years before being assassinated by the judge Ehud (Judges 3:12-25).
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper noun in the historical books of Joshua and Judges. In Joshua (8 occurrences), it refers solely to the Canaanite city, detailing its king, its alliance against Gibeon, and its conquest (e.g., Joshua 10:3, 10:23). In Judges (4 occurrences), it refers exclusively to the Moabite king who oppressed Israel (Judges 3:12, 3:14, 3:15, 3:17). The usage is therefore cleanly divided by book and referent.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root עֵגֶל (ʿēgel, H5695), meaning 'calf' or 'young bull.' The name Eglon is a diminutive or gentilic form, essentially meaning 'calf-like' or 'vituline' (pertaining to a calf). This likely carried connotations of strength, vigor, or perhaps even a connection to bovine worship practices common in the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
The two entities named Eglon represent significant theological themes. The city's defeat (Joshua 10) demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling the land promise and His power in fighting for Israel. King Eglon's story (Judges 3) illustrates the cyclical pattern of Israel's sin, oppression, cry for help, and God's deliverance through a judge. His assassination by the left-handed Ehud is a narrative of unexpected deliverance, highlighting God's use of unconventional means to save His people.
As a city-state, Eglon was part of the Amorite coalition, representing the entrenched Canaanite culture Israel was commanded to displace. Its king was considered a significant regional power. The name itself, meaning 'calf-like,' may have been associated with the worship of bull deities (like the Canaanite El or Baal), symbols of fertility and strength. King Eglon's obesity (Judges 3:17) is noted in the narrative, possibly symbolizing his oppressive greed and self-indulgence in contrast to the oppressed Israelites.
There are no direct synonyms, as it is a proper name. Related conceptually are other conquered Canaanite cities: Debir (H1688) — another royal city in Judah; Lachish (H3923) — a major city allied with Eglon.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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