Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

RAMOTH-GILEAD

City lying in the Transjordan area of Gilead and probably identifiable with Tell Ramith, although the site of Tell el-Husn has also been suggested. Initially, biblical references pertain to Ramoth in Gilead (Dt 4:43; Jos 20:8; 21:38), while later it is called Ramoth-gilead. Combined names were used to avoid confusion with cities of the same name in other locations.

Ramoth-gilead, a possession of the tribe of Gad, first appears in the biblical narrative as one of three Transjordan cities of refuge (Dt 4:43) later included in the six cities of refuge for all Israel (Jos 20:8). It was allotted to the Merarites as one of 48 Levitical cities (21:38) and was most likely located along the King’s Highway, which transversed that area.

During the time of Solomon, Ramoth-gilead enjoyed a place of prominence as the central city in his sixth administrative district and the residence of Ben-geber, chief officer of that district (1 Kgs 4:13). After the division of the kingdom, this border town was taken by the Arameans and became a site of contention between Israel and Aram. King Ahab’s final battle began with his desire to retake Ramoth-gilead. In seeking to convince his ally Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to support him in this maneuver, he produced many prophets who spoke favorable and victorious words to the king (1 Kgs 22; 2 Chr 18). Unconvinced, Jehoshaphat inquired of the word of the Lord through Micaiah, a prophet of the Lord, who warned of impending disaster. The message was ignored and Ahab was killed at Ramoth-gilead. Ahab’s son Joram also fought with Aram here and was wounded in battle (2 Kgs 8:29; 2 Chr 22:6; also called Ramah). Shortly thereafter, Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead, where he anointed Jehu to be king over Israel (2 Kgs 9:1-14).