5:5 Bethel . . . Gilgal. See note 4:4.

Beersheba. This ancient holy place (Gen. 21:31–33; 26:23–25; 46:1–5) was located 50 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem. People from the north evidently went there on pilgrimage (8:14). In the seventh century b.c., Josiah destroyed the high places “from Geba to Beersheba” during his reform (2 Kin. 23:8).

Gilgal . . . exile. The words form an alliterative wordplay in Hebrew.