This town in Judah's hill country appears in Joshua 15:51's territorial list and gains tragic prominence as Ahithophel's hometown. Second Samuel 15:12 identifies Ahithophel as 'the Gilohite,' and his betrayal of David—joining Absalom's revolt—carries geographical irony since both he and David came from Judahite towns. The name may derive from roots meaning 'exile' or 'uncovering,' though such etymologies remain speculative. The site's exact location remains debated, though proposed identifications place it in the Hebron highlands near David's early power base.