Ijon
Ijon is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Phoenicia in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tell Dibbine. It appears across 3 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Ijon was a fortified city in the far north of Israel, situated in the territory of Naphtali near the border with the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. It appears three times in Scripture, each time in the context of military invasion from the north. The city is first mentioned when King Asa of Judah formed an alliance with Ben-hadad of Aram-Damascus, paying him to break his treaty with King Baasha of Israel. Ben-hadad responded by attacking the northern Israelite cities, conquering Ijon along with Dan and Abel-beth-maacah (1 Kings 15:20; 2 Chronicles 16:4). Ijon appears again during the reign of King Pekah of Israel, when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor, deporting the population to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). This devastating conquest effectively ended Israelite control of the upper Galilee and marked the beginning of the northern kingdom's final decline. Ijon's repeated vulnerability illustrates the exposed position of Israel's northernmost settlements.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Ijon is identified with Tell Dibbin (Tell ed-Dibbin), located in the Marj Ayyun valley of southern Lebanon, approximately ten kilometers north of the modern Israeli border. The Marj Ayyun ("meadow of springs") is a fertile valley that served as a natural corridor between the upper Jordan Valley and the Beqa'a Valley, making it a perennial invasion route. The tell has not been systematically excavated, but surface surveys have documented pottery from the Bronze and Iron Ages. The site's strategic location along the main north-south route through the region confirms its importance as a fortified border city. Egyptian New Kingdom records may reference the site, suggesting its significance predates the Israelite period. The surrounding valley remains agriculturally productive today.
Verse Appearances (3)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →