Bible Dictionary
Eglon
Eglon was a king of Moab who oppressed Israel for eighteen years until Ehud assassinated him and led Israel to victory. Eglon was also the name of a city in Judah near Lachish.
Definition
Eglon was the name of a Moabite king and of a city in Judah. King Eglon allied with Ammon and Amalek, overran the trans-Jordan region, captured Jericho, and held Israel under tribute. The Judahite city stood near Lachish.
Biblical Usage
Eglon oppressed Israel for eighteen years until Ehud assassinated him. Ehud then led Israel against the Moabites and defeated them at the fords of the Jordan.
Historical Background
The Moabite king made Jericho, the city of palm trees, his capital. The Judahite Eglon was later destroyed by Joshua and has been identified by some with a site near Lachish.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The bullock; place of heifers. (1.) Chieftain or king of one of the Moabite tribes (Judg. 3:12-14). Having entered into an alliance with Ammon and Amalek, he overran the trans-Jordanic region, and then crossing the Jordan, seized on Jericho, the “city of palm trees,” which had been by this time rebuilt, but not as a fortress. He made this city his capital, and kept Israel in subjection for eighteen years. The people at length “cried unto the Lord” in their distress, and he “raised them up a deliverer” in Ehud (q.v.), the son of Gera, a Benjamite. (2.) A city in Judah, near Lachish (Josh. 15:39). It was destroyed by Joshua (10:5, 6). It has been identified with Tell Nejileh, 6 miles south of Tell Hesy or Ajlan, north-west of Lachish. (See LACHISH.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(calf-like).