Gibeon (Heb., hill city), one of the principal cities of Palestine, about 5 m. N. W. of Jerusalem. Before the conquest of Canaan by Joshua, it was inhabited by Hivites, who by stratagem secured their own safety and protection from Israel; though when the deception was discovered the Gibeonites were degraded to the condition of hereditary "hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation." It is not mentioned as one of the royal cities of the Canaanites, though described as a great city, and as one of the royal cities. When the five kings of the Amorites besieged Gibeon because of its having made peace with Israel, Joshua marched against them, and at his command, as we are told after the poetical book of Jasher, the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies" (Josh. x. 1-14). The Gibeonites were persecuted and nearly exterminated by Saul. On the division of Canaan, Gibeon fell to the tribe of Benjamin; afterward it was given to the Levites; toward the close of David's and in the beginning of Solomon's reign, the sanctuary was there, and there dwelt the high priest. Near to it was a pool, probably the great waters" referred to by Jeremiah, where Abner was defeated by Joab, and also a great stone, or monumental pillar.

It is identified with the modern El-Jib, an irregular village, seated on the summit of a hill, and containing massive ruins.