Elath, Eloth

(a grove ), the name of a town of the land of Edom, commonly mentioned with Ezion-geber, and situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf, which was thence called the Elanitic Gulf. It first occurs in the account of the wanderings, ( 2:8 ) and in later times must have come under the rule of David. ( 2 Samuel 8:14 ) We find the place named again in connection with Solomons navy. ( 1 Kings 9:26 ) comp. 2Chr 8:17 In the Roman period it became a frontier town of the south and the residence of a Christian bishop. The Arabic name is Eyleh , and palm groves still exist there, after which it was named.