GIBEAH
GIBEAH (LXX.
Γαβαά: Eth.
Γαβαθιτης), called also Gibeah of Benjamin (1
Sam. 13.2) and Gibeah of Saul (1
Sam. 11.4),
Γαβαθσαούλη by Josephus, who in one place states its distance 30 stadia from Jerusalem (
B. J. 5.2.1) and in another only 20 (
Ant. 5.2.8).
It obtained a bad notoriety in very early times, in the matter recorded in
Judges, xix. xx., which resulted in its entire destruction.
It was the native place of Saul. (1
Sam. 10.26, 11.4.)
It was obviously nigh to Ramah (
Judges, 19.13), and on the high road to Nablouse between Jerusalem and Ramah. (Comp. Joseph.
B. J. l.c.) This makes against its identity with the modern village of
Jeba, which no doubt marks the site of the ancient Geba, situated as it is on the direct road between Michmash and Jerusalem. (See
Isaiah, 10.28, 29.) Ramah and Gibeah of Saul were not in the line of march of the invading army from the north, but from their contiguity to it naturally shared in the panic. Gibeah then must be sought to the west of the modern
Jeba, and on the direct Nablouse road; and there is a remarkable conical hill, conspicuous from Jerusalem, close to the high road, about the stated distance from the city, which appears to have been occupied by an ancient city, as its modern name indicates. Accordingly, in consistency with the above notices, though inconsistently with himself, Dr. Robinson decides for
Tuleil-el-Fûll (more properly
Tell-el-Fûll) as the representative of Gibeah of Saul. (
Theological Review, vol. iii. p. 645.)
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G.W]
