GIBEON  , a

town in Palestine whose inhabitants wrested a truce from Joshua by a trick (Josh. ix., x.); where the champions of David fought those of Ish-bosheth (2 Sam. ii . 12-32); where Joab murdered Amasa (ib. xx . 8-1o); and where Johanan went against Ishmael to avenge the murder of Gedaliah (Jer. xli . 12) . Here was an important high place (r Kings iii . 4) where for a time the tabernacle was deposited (2 Chron. i . 3) . The present name is El-Jib; this is a small village about 5 M . N.W. of Jerusalem, standing on an isolated hill above a flat corn valley . The village is famous for its springs, and the reputation seems ancient (cf . 2 Sam. ii . 13; Jer. xli .

12) . The

principal spring issues from under a cliff on the south-east side of the hill, and the water runs to a. reservoir lower down . The sides of the hill are rocky, and remarkable for the regular stratification of the limestone, which gives the hill at a distance the appearance of being terraced . Scattered olive groves surround the place . (R . A . S .