The OlD JePhThAh TAle IN JuDGeS 11 Reshuni, two km northwest of kh. Jal‘ad, described by de Vaux 40 as “l’un des sites anciens les plus importants de toute la région”. This area has not been systematically surveyed and hence it is possible that a large Iron Age site is still to be discovered in it. Another solution is to place the town of Gilead in Tell hajjaj — the most conspicuous mound in this part of Jordan. The site is located on the western edge of the lower plateau south of the Jabbok referred to above (G.R. 214 173). It is a prominent mound, which — including the terraced slopes — covers an area of ca. four hectares. As far as I know, this site has never been systematically surveyed. Noth 41 mentions Iron I to hellenistic pottery and de Vaux 42 refers to Iron Age pottery at the site. A short visit to this place in January 2011 by the author with col- leagues and students revealed the existence of Iron Age sherds on its northern slopes. Still, this may be a less likely solution for Gilead be- cause of the distance from kh. Jal‘ad. 3. Mizpah/Mizpah of Gilead This place was probably located in the northern Gilead, as hinted by its name, Mizpah of Gilead, similar to Jabesh-gilead, Ramoth-gilead, Tishbe of Gilead — all situated north of the Jabbok. The addition of the component “Gilead” seems to indicate a need to explain that this region indeed belonged to the Gilead, probably hinting that originally the term Gilead was restricted to the area south of the Jabbok and that it was called after the town Gilead located therein 43. The Jephthah story puts it not far from the territory of Ammon. The name discloses that it was located on a high spot overlooking its surroundings. This Mizpah should be associated with the Mizpah of the Jacob cycle: “And the Mizpah; for he said, the lORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another” (Gen 31,49), mentioned in relation to the heap of stones that “was named Gal‘ed” (v. 48) built by Jacob. This story reflects the Iron Age reality of the border between Israelite and Aramean populations that lived in proximity in northern Transjordan 44. concise commentary in 32 chapters (Studia Francisci Scholten memoriae dicata 1; leiden 1959) 229-230. 40 De VAuX, “explorations de la Région de Salṭ”, 415. 41 M. NOTh, “Beiträge zur Geschichte des Ostjordanlandes”, PjB 37 (1941) 50-101, here 86. 42 De VAuX ,“explorations de la Région de Salṭ”, 405; ID., “Notes d’histoire”, 31. 43 See De VAuX, “Notes d’histoire”; NOTh, “Beiträge zur Geschichte”, 70; ID., “Gilead und Gad”, 14. 44 I. FINkelSTeIN – T.c. RöMeR, “comments on the historical Background of