Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894/Geography
XV.—Geography.
The Talmudic Geography has been studied so fully by Dr. Neubauer that little remains to be said on the subject; but the greater number of places mentioned by him are noticed in Jewish writings of the fourth and later centuries A.D. There is not much of geographical interest in the Mishnah, but a few words may be devoted to its foreign and its home geography.
Among the foreign countries that we find noticed are Egypt, especially Alexandria,[1] whence ships came to Palestine (Oheloth, viii, 3), Greece (Gittin, viii), and Italy (Sanhedrin, viii, 1), whence wine was brought, with Rome as visited by the Jews (Aboda Zara, iv, 7). Further East there are frequent references to Babylonia, and to Media, with the Chaldean cities of Nehardea, Tel Arza, and Beth Dely (Yebamoth, xvi, 7). The most westerly country is Spain (Baba Bathra, iii, 2), whence the small fish in bottles were brought. These names bear witness to a trade which extended throughout the Mediterranean, and eastwards to the Tigris and the Caspian, while communication with India was also established (Yoma, iii, 7), as it is well known to have been, through the accounts of Greek and Eonian writers.
The divisions of the native land of the Jews included—(1) Judea, of which the southern border was near Rekem or Petra and Elath, and the northern (Menakhoth, viii, 6) near Beth Eima, Beth Laban, and Antipatris, which were on the Samaritan border; (2) Samaria, which included Caphar Outheni (Kefr Adhan), south of Carmel, with Cæsarea and Bethshean; (3) Perea or Gilead; (4) Galilee; (5) Syria, including Phoenicia. Special information as to the districts into which Judea and Galilee were divided is given in two passages which require notice. In the first we read that the Land of Israel extended to Chezib (Ez Zib), north of Accho (Shebiith, vi, 1); and the region beyond, to Amanus and the Euphrates, was not cultivated by Jews during the seventh year, though the fruits cultivated there by others might be eaten—a law which existed already in the time of Herod the Great (15 Ant., ix, 2).[2] This region is called Syria (Shebiith, vi, 2-6). In the second geographical passage we find Galilee divided into three parts (Shebiith, ix, 2), namely, Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Valley. The first was the region above Caphar Hananiah (Kefr' Anân), the second was south of this limit, the third was the country of Tiberias on the shores of the Lake. Judea was also, according to this passage, divided into the Mountain, the Shephelah, and the Valley. The Shephelah included Lydda and the hills to the south. Bethhoron was the limit of the "King's Mountain," or Jerusalem range. Perea was also apparently divided into mountain, hill, and valley, though the limits are not stated.
It will be convenient to notice the places mentioned in Syria and Palestine in alphabetic order, and the majority are either well known or have been identified by aid of the Survey, though a few are doubtful.
Accho was in the Holy Land, yet contained a statue of Aphrodite in its bath (Abodah Zara, iii, 5). It was the last city in Palestine, and it was doubtful if tombs to its east were pure (Oheloth, xviii, 9), being close to the frontiers {see Nedarim, iii, 5; Gittin, i, 1; vii, 7).
Ahab's Well (Parah, viii, 10) was impure, being in Samaria. It is perhaps the "Fountain in Jezreel" (1 Sam., xxix, 1), and may be the great spring 'Ain Jalûd below that city.
Akrabah was a day's journey north of Jerusalem (Maaser Sheni, v, 2), and the limit of the "square vineyard," so that it appears to have been on the Samaritan border—the present 'Akrabeh.
Amanus was the northern Lebanon (Shebiith, vi, 1).
Antipatris was also on the Samaritan border (Gittin, vii, 7), but on the Judean side of the line—now Ras el 'Ain.
Ascalon appears to have been regarded as the south-western frontier (Gittin, i, 1); the belts and the crooks of the Ascalon people are noticed (Kelim, xiii, 7; xxiii, 2).
Bethel (Taanith, iv, 6) was the famous city where Barcochebas and Rabbi Akiba resisted Hadrian. It is said to have fallen on the 9th of Ab. There is no practical doubt that the site is the present Bittir, southwest of Jerusalem. It is mentioned with Tekoa (Khalah, iv, 10).[3]
Beth Kerem, from the valley of which the stones for the altar were taken (Middoth, iii, 4), was probably the Beth-ha-Kerem of the Bible (Neh. iii, 14; Jer. vi, 1) which I believe to have been the present 'Ain Kârim{see Niddah, ii, 7); it was a place with a good supply of water in the valley, which suits the identification.
Beth Horon, now Beit 'Ûr, was at the edge of the Jerusalem Hills (Shebiith, ix, 2).
Beth Laban, a place in the mountains with vineyards, appears to have been the ancient Lebonah on the road from Jerusalem to Shechem (Menakhoth, viii, 6).
Bethlehem of Judea (Kelim, ii, 2).
Bethnamar, beyond Jordan (Peah, iv, 5), may be Nimrîn, east of Jordan.
Beth Rima, mentioned as in the mountains and possessing vineyards, was the present Beit Rima, west of Lebonah (Lubben), and on the south side of the border valley of the Samaritan frontier, which valley also runs north of Lubben (Menakhoth, viii, 6).
Bethphage, near Jerusalem (Menakhoth, xi, 2), is an uncertain site on the Mount of Olives.
Bethshean (Abodah Zara, i, 4) was a city of idolaters—probably on account of the temple and theatre still extant, and was reckoned sometimes as within Samaria.
Beth Uniki (בית אונייקי) was also an idolatrous city (Abodah Zara, ii, 4), of which the locality is not indicated. It is not certain that the present text is correct, or that the town was in Palestine.
Bedan, in Samaria (Kelim, xvii, 5) famous for pomegranates (Orlah, iii, 7), is probably the present village Bedyeh.
Birath ha Peli (Edioth, vii, 3) was a place with water, perhaps now Fûleh in Lower Galilee.
Cæsarea. Both towns of this name seem to be mentioned in the Mishnah, as the "Eastern" and "Western" Cæsarea. The tombs in their vicinity were impure; for the first—Paneas—was on the boundary of the Holy Land, and the second, on the sea-coast, was in Samaria (Oheloth, xviii, 9).[4] There could be no tombs west of the Western Cæsarea, since it is situated on the shore.
Caphar Aziz (Kilaim, vi, 4) is probably the ruined town of 'Aziz, south of Hebron.
Caphar Hananiah, the boundary of Upper Galilee, is the Hannathon of the Bible, now Kefr 'Anân (Shebiith, ix, 2).
Caphar Signa was a place with vineyards in the plains (Menakhoth, ix, 7) within the borders of Judea. It was perhaps near Jamnia (Kelim, V, 4), since the question as to a tire in its ovens was carried there. Possibly Tell es Sellâkah, north-east of Yebnah.[5]
Caphar Outhnai (Gittin, i, 5; vii, 8) was on the border of Samaria— probably Kefr Adhan, north-west of Jenin.
Chezib, now Ez Zib, was the border of the Holy Land north of Accho Peah, i, 3; Shebiith, vi, 1).
Colonia, near Jerusalem (Succah, iv, 5) otherwise called Ham-Motza, "the spring," was the present Kolonia, near which is the ruin Beit Mizzeh.
Catzra, apparently meaning "camp" (קצרה, Castrum), is applied to two walled towns. One was at Sepphoris (Seffûrieh), one at Gush Caleb (el Jîsh), a third noticed with these is called Yudephath (or Yorphat), "the old" (חישנה), and its site not clearly explained. It might be fixed at Jeshanah ('Ain Sinia) in Judea,[6] since Jerusalem is noticed in the same passage (Eracin, ix, 6). There was a Castra (קסטרא) near Haifa (Midrash Ekha, i, 17), which appears to have been the ruin Kefr es Samîr, "the village of Samaritans," and its inhabitants were enemies of the Jews of Haifa. But the places called Catzra were ancient Jewish towns.
Elath, now Aila, on the Red Sea, was the limit of the Holy Land on the south-east (Maaser Sheni, v, 2).
Emmaus, now 'Armwâs, had a meat market (Kerithoth, iii, 7). It was not well regarded by the Rabbis (Eracin, x, i), though Jewish priests lived there.
En Sucr (Menakhoth, x, 2) was in a plain within Judea.
Gamala (Eracin, ix, 6) may be the famous fortress defended against Vespasian, east of the Sea of Galilee—now called el Hosn.
Gedor, in the same passage, may be the town so-called south of Jerusalem, now Jedûr, It was an ancient walled town according to the Mishnah.
Gilgal is once mentioned (Zebakhim, xiv, 5) with Gibeon.[7]
Gush Caleb in the same passage is now el Jîsh in Galilee.
Hadashah (Erubin, v, 6) in Judea is a doubtful site.
Hammath, near Tiberias, now the Hummâm Tubarîya, is noticed for its hot springs (Sabbath, iii, 4); another unknown place with hot springs was Maarah (Sabbath, xxii, 5).
Harid, an ancient walled town (Eracin, ix, 6), is perhaps an error for Hadid (Ezra, ii, 33), now Haditheh.
Hattulim (הטולים) was a place whence wine was brought of the best quality (Menakhoth, viii, 6). Perhaps Beit Tulma, north of Colonia.
Hebron (Tamid, iii, 2; Yoma, iii, 1) was the limit from the Temple of the morning aurora when day was to begin.
Jamnia is frequently noticed, being the seat of the Sanhedrin till the fall of Bether. It is now Yebnah (Rosh hash Shanah, iv, 1, 2, 3, 4), and here the new moon was fixed after the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jarmuk River (Parah, viii, 10) was impure because it joined the Jordan within the confines of Samaria. Now the Yermûk.
Jordan River is mentioned as impure in the same passage, flowing as it did near Samaria.
Jericho (Pesakhim, iv, 8; Tamid, iii, 8; Menakhoth, x, 8) was near 'Ain es Sultân. Dates and corn are mentioned in the first passage at Jericho, with fruit and vegetables.
Jerusalem is often mentioned, but few details are given.
Joppa (Nedarim, iii, 6) was in the Holy Land, the Samaritan border being at Antipatris.
Kidron Valley (Yoma v, 6) received the blood of the temple sacrifices (see also Middoth, iii, 3).
Kermiun, a stream (Parah, viii, 10) was impure on account of marshes. It might be the Iskanderuneh, to which the description would apply, or the Nam'ein (Belus), also very marshy.
Keruthim was famous for the best wine (Menakhoth, viii, 6). It may have been Corea, now Kuriût, just within the border of Judea, on the side of Samaria.
Latakia is probably the Syrian town still so-called (Kelim, xxvi, 1), famous for sandals.
Lydda was in the Shephelah (Shebiith, ix, 2) and a religious boundary (Kelim, ii, 2).
Migdol Eder (Shekalim, vii, 4) was near Bethlehem, and sacrifices were brought thence.
Modin (Hagigah, iii, 5; Pesakhim, ix, 2) is now Medyeh.
Mountain of Iron (Succah, iii, 1), apparently the mountains east of Jordan or else in the Desert of Sin (Targ. Jonathan, Num. xxiv, 4).
Mount Mikvor is believed to have been Machærus, east of the Dead Sea (Tamid, iii, 8). It was a place for feeding goats.
Netophah (Peah, vii, 1) was famous for its oil. It was probably the present Beit Nettif.
Nob (Zebakhim, xiv, 5) is only noticed historically without indication of its site.
Ono, now Kerr 'Ana,near Lydda, was an ancient fortified city (Eracin, ix, 6). Paneas, now Baniâs (Parah, viii, 10), is noticed for its waters, which were pure.
Pugah in the same passage (viii, 10), had marshy waters, which were not allowed for making the Red Heifer ashes. Perhaps 'Ain Fijeh in the Anti-Lebanon is intended.
Ragab, beyond Jordan, had famous oil (Menakhoth, viii, 3). It is the modern Rujîb, in Northern Gilead.
Rekem (Gittin, i, 2; Niddah, vii, 3) was apparently "Rekem of the Ravine," a name for Petra in the Targums and later works.
Sartabah, where a beacon was burnt at the new moon (Rosh hash Shanah, ii, 4), was the present Kurn Sartaheh. The other stations, Grophina, Hoveran (perhaps Haurân) and Beth-Baltin, are unknown.
Sharon is noticed both as a place where calves were reared (Baba Kama, x, 9), and for its wine (Niddah, ii, 7).
Shiloh is only noticed historically (Zebakhim, xiv, 5), but the site at Seilûn was no doubt known.
Shohek is connected with the Ammonites (Sotah, viii, 1). Probably the place so-called north of Petra.
Sidon (Abodah Zara, iii, 7) had an idolatrous image under a tree.
Siloam is mentioned in connection with a place called Gadivan (גדיון), where the Greek kings erected idols (Zabim, i, 5). This latter word is explained as Gad-Yavan, "the luck of the Greek." Perhaps some allusion is intended to the Greek tombs in the Kedron Valley.
Stone of Foundation (Yoma, v, 2) was that on which the temple stood—the present Sakhrah.
Stone of Wanderers (Taanith, iii, 8) was a place in Jerusalem where lost property was proclaimed for three feast days.
Stoning—House of (Sanhedrin, vi, 1) I place at the present Jeremiah's grotto.
Tekoa (Khalah, iv, 10), was famous for its oil (Menakhoth, viii, 3); it is the present Tekû'a south of Bethlehem.
Tyre is noticed in connection with its coinage (Bicuroth, viii, 7).
Zalmon (Yebamoth, xvi, 4) is apparently the mountain so named near Shechem, the site of which is doubtful.
Zerephin, a place with gardens (Menakhoth, x, 2), probably Surafend, near Jaffa, as noticed by Isaac Chelo in 1334 A.D.
Zippori is often noticed (see Catzra). It was the capital of Lower Galilee—now Seffûrieh.[8]
Zoar is noticed for its dates (Yebamoth, xvi, 4), which shows that it was in the valley, not on the mountains, of Moab. It is probably the present Tell Shaghûr.
Zuk was the place where the scapegoat was thrown over a precipice (Yoma, vi, 5). I have shown that the distance from Jerusalem points to the remarkable precipice of el Muntâr, and the name (צוק) survives in that of the well Sûk (صوق) on this ridge.
This enumeration of 80 sites will, I think, be found to exhaust all that is of interest in the geography of the Mishnah.
- ↑ Pelusiac robes of Egyptian linen are noticed (Yoma, iii, 7). The temple of Onias, in Egypt, is also noticed (Menakhoth, xiii, 11). Caphutkia (Kethubim, xiii, 11) is said by Neubauer to be Cappadocia. The early commentators make it Caphtor in Egypt.
- ↑ The year of the famine, 23 b.c., was a Sabbatic year, when Palestine itself could not be cultivated. Herod caused seed to be sent to Syria and a large number of persons to reap the harvest there.
- ↑ Bether, says Dr. Neubauer, is probably Bitri, where David took refuge (T. B. Sanhedrin, 95a). It was the seat of the Sanhedrin {17b). It was 40 miles from the sea (T. Jer. Taanith, iv, 8). It was near Jerusalem (Eusebius, II. E., iv, 2). It is therefore impossible that it could be the Betarus, in the plain of Sharon, south of Cæsarea; nor could it be in Galilee, as others have argued on insufficient grounds. The fugitives from Bether are said (Midrash Ekha, ii, 2) to have been caught at Hamthan (Emmaus), Beth Likitia (Beit Likia) and Bethel (Beitîn), which points to a position in Judea. Bittir is certainly the site of an ancient stronghold (Memoirs, iii, p. 20) and the ruin near it is called "Ruin of the Jews." The identification of Bether is due to Dr. Williams (Holy City, ii, p. 210). Dr. Robinson was not in favour of Dr. Williams's views as a rule, but all he can say against this identification is the weak argument that Bether may be Bethel. In "Murray's Handbook" occurs the statement that a son of Barcochcbas, named Simon, had possession of 'Athlit in 130 A.D. I know nothing to show that such a person existed, nor is 'Athlit mentioned in any ancient literature. Barcochebas was killed at Bether in 135 A.D.; some suppose that his name was Simon. 'Atlit was a Templar fortress, built in 1191 A.D.
- ↑ The words are עכו היה ספק מזרח ץצרין ומערב קזריןקבורות ומזרח The reference may be only to Cæsarea Pbilippi, but that Cæsarea on the coast was in Samaria I have shown in my Handbook, p. 310.
- ↑ Dr. Neubauer suggests a sakneh near Jaffa, but all the suburbs so called appear to be modern.
- ↑ Dr. Neubauer suggests the Iotapata of Josephus (???), now Jefat, which, however, is called Gopatata, in the Midrash (Koheleth, 108a), situated in Galilee.
- ↑ In this passage it is said that high places were lawful to Israel before the Temple was built, while the religious centre was at Gilgal, at Nob, or at Gibeon, but not while at Shiloh.
- ↑ Ziph is by some supposed to be noticed as a place whence honey was brought (Niddah, v, 7).