Multiple locations bore this name, but the most significant was Israel's first encampment west of the Jordan, where Joshua set up twelve stones and the people underwent circumcision. It became a gathering place for war councils and Samuel's regular circuit for judging. Yet this same site later hosted illegitimate worship that prophets condemned sharply—Hosea and Amos denouncing its corrupted rituals. The name's connection to 'rolling away' Egypt's reproach created a powerful wordplay in Joshua. Gilgal thus embodied both covenant renewal and covenant failure.