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Asphar

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Hastings' BibleDictionary
• Asphar
Smith Bible Dictionary
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Asphar the Pool
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(Ἀσφάρ v. r. Ἀσφάδ, 1 Maccabees 9:33), a "pool" (λάκκος, not sea, as the Vulg. and some other versions render, but which often stands in the Sept. for בּוֹר, a pit, or בְּאֵר, a well), i.e. fountain or cistern in the south or south-east of Palestine (in the " wilderness of Thecoe" or Tekoa), where the Jews under Jonathan Maccabaeus had an encampment at the beginning of their struggle with Bacchides (see Josephus. Ant. 13:1, 2); meaning doubtless (if the Dead [Asphaltic] Sea, as Grotius and others suppose) some considerable reservoirs in the direction of Arabia (comp. v. 35), near the territory of the Nabathaeans (see Diod. Sic. 19:94).