A Levitical town in the territory of Dan, assigned to the clan of Kohath. It was later held by the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:13).
About Aijalon (of Dan)
A city located in a valley 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Jerusalem (modern-day Yalo).
It was originally given to the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:42). Aijalon was made as one of four cities in Dan for Levites (Joshua 21:24). Later, it became a city of refuge in the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 6:69). Dan had moved north, being unable to maintain its original territory, including Aijalon (Judges 1:34–36). Near Aijalon, Saul and Jonathan won a battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:31). People from Benjamin's tribe also lived there at one point (1 Chronicles 8:13).
After Solomon’s death, Israel split into two kingdoms. King Rehoboam strengthened Aijalon, as it was on the border of the two kingdoms (2 Chronicles 11:10). The Egyptian pharaoh Shishak claimed he conquered Aijalon around 924 BC (2 Chronicles 12:2–12). Much later, the Philistines took Aijalon during the reign of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18).
The valley of Aijalon is famous for a battle where Joshua fought to control Gibeon (Joshua 10:12). During this battle, Joshua prayed to God: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12).
See also Cities of Refuge; Levitical Cities.
Key References
Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them:
and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath).
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
All Scripture References (10)
Joshua (3)
On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon—four cities, together with their pasturelands.
Judges (2)
And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor.
Then Elon the Zebulunite died, and he was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
1 Samuel (1)
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.
1 Chronicles (2)
Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them:
and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families living in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath).
2 Chronicles (2)
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.