Bible Meaning: Heights, heights of Gilead
Strong's Concordance #H7433
The city of Ramoth-gilead (Ramoth in Gilead), located east of the Jordan River, was on a major north-south trading route known as the King's Highway.
When the Israelites received their land inheritance from God, Ramoth-gilead was within the territory given to the tribe of Gad (Joshua 20:1 - 2, 8). The town was not only designated a Levitical city but also one of Israel's six special cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:41 - 43).
Ramoth-gilead, during the reign of King Solomon, was made a district capital (1Kings 4:13). After Israel split, the city came under the control of the Syrians. King Ahab tried to retake the city, in 853 B.C., but was mortally wounded during the battle (1Kings 22:29 - 40). King Joram (852 to 841 B.C.), however, was later able to recapture Ramoth-gilead (2Kings 9:14).
When the Assyrian Empire began to invade Israel, and carry away the people as captives, one of the first cities they conquered was Ramoth-gilead (2Kings 15:29).
Important Verses
Joshua 20:1 - 2, 8
The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses . . .
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
1Kings 22:2 - 4
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel (Ahab). And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?
And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses . . .
2Kings 8:28
And he (Ahaziah) went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians wounded Joram.
2Kings 9:12 - 14
Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria . . .)