The Battle of Aijalon Valley

The Aijalon Valley is located in the hills northwest of Jerusalem, between the cities of Gibeon and Gezer. The valley is about 12 kilometers long, with its mouth approximately 6 kilometers west-northwest of the city of Aijalon, and its end near Lower Beth Horon. This valley was one of the three most important routes from the coastal plain into the Judean hills and was a crucial trade passage.

The most compelling biblical account of the Aijalon Valley is found in Joshua chapter 10, with the earth-shaking miracle of the sun and moon standing still. During the battle of Gibeon, the Israelites pursued the five allied kings from Gibeon down the slopes of Beth Horon into the Aijalon Valley. One part of the allied army fled from the Aijalon Valley to Azekah near Jarmuth, a journey of about 55 kilometers that would take 12 hours. Another part fled to Makkedah near Eglon, Lachish, and Hebron, a journey of about 80 kilometers that would take 17 hours. Therefore, the Israelites needed an extra-long day to completely annihilate the enemy army. With firm faith, Joshua prayed to God in the sight of the Israelites, saying, “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stopped, until the nation had avenged itself on its enemies. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not set for about a whole day. The Bible records, “There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!” (Joshua 10:13-14). In fact, even before this battle began, God had already promised Joshua that he would be victorious, and during the battle, God continued to perform miracles to fight for Israel.

 God, who created the heavens and the earth, can accomplish anything He desires, as Psalm 33:9 says: “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” This event also shows us that God’s eyes are on those who fear Him and hope in His unfailing love.