Bible Locations

Eloth is another form of Elath, the port at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, where modern Eilat and Aqaba stand. First Kings 9:26 says, "King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea." With sailors sent by Hiram of Tyre, Solomon's fleet sailed to Ophir and brought back gold. Second Chronicles 8:17 says Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth. Second Chronicles 26:2 says King Uzziah "rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah" after his father Amaziah's victory over Edom. The gulf connected Israel to the Red Sea trade routes toward Arabia, Africa and India. Control of the port went back and forth between Judah and Edom. Copper from mines in the nearby Arabah, like Timna, may have been shipped from there.