GIBEAH
1. This is one of three Hebrew variants, Gibe'ah, Geba', and Gibe'on, all meaning 'a hill,' the last being a diminutive. Owing to the proximity of Gibe'ah, Geba', and Gibe'on, all in Benjamin within a radius of two miles, there is apt to be confusion, which is especially noteworthy in the account of Saul's campaign about Michmash (1 S.13). The confusion of the text may be sorted out by local knowledge. Though so close together, Gibeah and Geba lay on different sides of the watershed. If the action at Michmash was visible, then the site was Geba. Gibeon was a famous sanctuary, hence Gibeah (' the Hill') of God (1 S.10.5 RVm; RSV Gibeath-elohim). Gibeah, on the other hand, is usually defined as Gibeah of Benjamin or Gibeah of Saul (1 S.11.4, Is.10.29), whose home it was (1 S.10.26). It is also noted as the scene of the outrage on the Levite's concubine and the collective vengeance of Israel upon the tribe of Benjamin (Jg.19.12). It had a Philistine garrison, against which Saul rose (1 S.13.3, after LXX and Targ.). It appears in Isaiah's description of the Assyrian advance on Jerusalem (10.28-32). The location of Gibeah indicated in Jg.20.31-33 and Josephus, who places it 30 stadia N. of Jerusalem (BJ v. ii. 1 [51]), suggests the site Tell el-Ful. Albright's excavations here have demonstrated settlement in the Early Iron Age c 1200 and destruction c 1150, possibly a trace of the civil war (Jg.19.12ff). It was rebuilt about a century later, with a considerable fortress with casemate walling. This is often represented as the palace of Saul, but it may have originally been the post of the Philistine garrison. There is little doubt, however, that it was used by Saul and possibly served as quarters for his professional soldiers, including David. Under the House of David Gibeah declined in importance, its fortress being reduced to the proportions of a watchtower, which was finally destroyed at the fall of Jerusalem. It continued as an insignificant village, and is mentioned as such by Josephus (loc. cit.).
2. A village in Judah near Hebron (Jos.15.57), probably modern el-Jib'ah, c 10 miles NNW. of Hebron.
3. The 'hill,' where the Ark remained in the house of Amminadab (1 S.7.1, 2 S.6.3) in the vicinity of Kiriath-jearim, is possibly to be regarded as another Gibeah, which the numerical list in Jos.18.28 requires in association with Kiriath-jearim. This is possibly to be located at Khirbet el-Jab'ah, about 2 miles SW. of Qiryat el-'Inab (Kiriath-jearim).
[Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963. - W.E. - J.Gr.]