Eglon - Definition and Overview

A Biblical name, Eglon refers to either:

• A Canaanite city, whose king Debir joined a confederacy against Gibeon when that city made peace with Israel. The five kings involved were slain and Eglon was later conquered and its inhabitans condemned to destruction. It was thereafter included in the territory of Judah. It is believed to be identical with Tel el-Hesi, about 11 km west of Lachish. The ancient name is preseved at the ruins of Khirbet Ajlan, a few km distant.

• The king of Moab who suppressed Israel in the time of the Judges. He was the head of the confederacy of Moab, Ammon and Amalek in their assault. He was a very fat person. When Ehud came presenting the customary tribute, he tricked Eglon and stabbed him with his sword. Rabbis in the Talmudic tradition claimed that Ruth was Eglon's daughter. According to this tradition, Eglon was rewarded for rising out of respect when Ehud mentioned the Israelite God by having King David as a descendent. This can also be seen as an attempt to provide a royal lineage to David. There is, however, no basis in the actual verses for such an assertion. The Talmud also describes Eglon as the grandson of Balak. (b.Sanhedrin 105a)