Apparently Aditha is added here by confusion of sounds. This town in Eusebius and on the Madaba Map is northeast of Lydd at el Haditha (cf. I Maccabees 12:38 and Ezra 2:33).
The original Adiathain is located at another el Haditeh , north of Yalu (Ajalōn). This may be stretched as a location "near Gaza" but probably, the first village Adia is unknown.
79. Adasa. Joshua 15:37; K. 26:1; L. 240:6.
Textual variants: Gouphna, Gophna, Taphnōn, Gophnōn (Greek cf. K. 168:16, K. 74:2) and Gofnesem (Latin).
The biblical reference is to a town in the Shephelah which is not clearly identified, but Kh el judeideh has been suggested. Eusebius has been confused and Jerome says so in clear fashion (cf. Josh 16:5 and Onomasticon K. 29:7). Probably the village Eusebius would locate for us is Kh 'Adaseh near Beth Horon referred to in I Maccabees 7:40. Gouphōn comes into the picture because of Josephus Wars I, I, 5-6 which connects Nicanor's retreat and fall with Gophonitikē.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Adasa, new" (89).
80. Ather. Joshua 15:42; K. 26:3; L. 240:8.
Textual variants: Atherei, Ether and Acherei (Greek).
Simple tribal listing.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Athar, depreciating" (89).
81. Asan. Joshua 15:42; K. 26:4; L. 240:9.
Textual variant: Theuasa (Greek). Latin omits "to the west."
Bethasan is a dependent village of Jerusalem. In MT it should be found in the Shephelah. This may be Adasa of I Maccabees 7:40. It is probably beit shenna near 'amwas . The Old Testament site is Kh 'Asan northwest of Beersheba. Perhaps Eusebius is locating here the Ashna of Joshua 15:23 which is only listed in the Onomasticon at K. 24:20.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Asam, smoke" (90) or "smoking" (102).
82. Asema. Joshua 15:43; K. 26:6; L. 240:11.
A simple tribal listing. Possibly related to Iedna K. 106:15.
83. Achzeib (Agzif). Joshua 15:44; K. 26:7; L. 240:13.
Textual variant: Azeib (Greek).
A simple tribal listing.
84. Anab. Joshua 15:50; K. 26:8; L. 240:14.
This entry is probably identical to K. 20:15. The Anab located by Eusebius in the territory of Eleutheropolis is appropriate. The reference to Annia is confusing (cf. Bethanatha K. 52:24). This is another of the villages inhabited by Jews, most of which are in southern Judah (K. 22:9). A neighboring town is all Christian (K. 26:14). This twin city has been identified with Kh Juweim el Jarbiya southwest of Hebron. The higher one to the east is Christian and the lower Jewish. Nine miles marks off from main road.
The Daroma is a region south of Judah and southwest of Edom. Daroma is one of the many Hebrew words for "South" [(cf. Negeb (K. 136:14) and Theman (K. 137:15)]. At least 15 towns are in the Daroma according to the Onomasticon (K. 26:12, 60:8, 68:19, 70:11, 78:21, 86:9, 86:21, 88:4, 88:18, 92:15, 98:27, 108:3, 108:10, 110:18, 120:22, 146:25, 156:12, 172:21).
85. Asthemō (Asthemof). Joshua 15:50; K. 26:11; L. 240:17.
Textual variants: Ansoema, cp. Esthemo (K. 86:20), Esthama (K. 90:2) and Ansim for the contemporary site (Greek), Anem (Latin).
Only Jerome notes this to be a Jewish village and probably it is es semu'a where remains of a synagogue have been found. It is near Anaia (K. 26:9) another Jewish village (cf. Note on K. 22:9). The Greek K. 86:20 notes it is a large Jewish village in the Daroma (Appendix II).