Bible Encyclopedias
Pharathon

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

far´a - thon ( Φαραθών , Pharathṓn ): One of the strong cities of Judea fortified by Bacchides during the Maccabean war ( 1 Maccabees 9:50 ). Septuagint reads "Thamnatha-pharathon" as the name of one city. Josephus, however ( Ant. , XIII , i, 3), and Syriac supply the "and" between them. The name represents a Hebrew pir‛āthōn . If it is to be taken strictly as in Judean territory, it cannot be identified with PIRATHON (which see) of Judges 12:15 . In that case we should probably seek for it with Dr. G.A. Smith in some fortress covering the top of Wâdy Far‛ah .