Gibeah
GIBEAH (LXX. Γαβαά: Eth. Γαβαθίτης), 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. 3. p. 645.)
[G.W]A town on the main road that passed through the mountains of Judah and Ephraim, prominent in the Biblical story of the times of the Judges and during the kingship of Saul and the later kings of Judah. By the name of Gabath Saul (Saul's Hill) it was known to Josephus, who wrote that it was 30 stadia distant from Jerusalem and that Titus camped there on his way to that city (BJ 5.51). Gibeah is identified with Tell el-Ful, a hill N of Jerusalem and 750 m above sea level. Excavations here have revealed a succession of fortresses dating from the 12th c. B.C. and later. Hellenistic and Early Roman remains are scanty. The site was apparently destroyed in A.D. 70 by the emperor Titus.
BIBLIOGRAPHYW. F. Albright, AASOR 4 (1924); id., BASOR 52 (1933) 6-12; L. A. Sinclair, AASOR 34-35 (1960) 1-52; id., Biblical Archaeologist 27 (1964) 52-64; P. W. Lapp, Biblical Archaeologist 28 (1965) 2-10.
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