Ramoth-Gilead

RAMOTH-GILEAD, or 'Ramoth in Gilead,' was the centre of one of Solomon's administrative districts which extended N. of the Yarmuk (1 K.4.13), and was one of the cities of refuge (Dt.4.43, Jos.20.8) assigned to the Merarite Levites of Gad (Jos.21.38, l Ch.6.80). It was a key fortress in the wars between Israel and Aram, and Ahab was killed there (1 K.22.3-24, 2 Ch.18). There Jehu was anointed (2 K.8.28, 9.1-14, 2 Ch.22.5). The Onomasticon sites it near the Jabbok 15 miles W. of Philadelphia ('Amman), visualizing either Es-Salt or Khirbet Jil'ad. The narrative of the Aramaean wars, however, and the fiscal list of Solomon indicate a site further N. The dominating site of Husn 'Ajlun is suggested by Albright and Dalman, and the period of occupation of this site as ascertained by Glueck certainly indicates the feasibility of this suggestion. An alternative suggestion is Er-Remtheh (Aramatha of Jos. Ant. VIII. xv. 3 [398]; ix. vi. 1 [105]), but the open situation of this place hardly suggests the obviously commanding situation of Ramoth-Gilead in the wars between Israel and Aram. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - R.A.S.M. - J.Gr.]