36. Aserna (Asernai). Numbers 34:10; K. 14:17; L. 236:71.
Textual variant: Asernaei (Greek).
Probably the same as the previous entry (cf. Ezekiel 47:13). Simple border listing.
37. Arbēla. Numbers 34:11; K. 14:18; L. 236:72.
Textual variant see K. 46:6.
Two sites: One in Transjordan and Decapolis (K. 80:16) region and the near the great plain of Megiddo.
Pella is an important reference point in the Onomasticon (K. 22:25, K. 32:6, K. 80:17, K. 110:13). In 66-67 A.D. it was a refuge for Christians fleeing from Jerusalem (cf. Historia Ecclesiastica , iii, 5, 3). At this time it is a polis in Palestine. Formerly it was one of the independent Decapolis, probably at Kh Fahil , and later it was included with Syria.
Arbela is a dependent village of Pella. It may be tell Abil or tabaqat fahl . Jerome has perhaps confused it with Ribla which may be at Irbid (cp. Betharbel, Hosea 10:14).
The great plain southwest of the Sea of Galilee is called after the important city ( oppidum ) Legeōn. On oppidum cf. K. 10:25 and Appendix I. This is the plain of Jesreel (Josephus' Antiquities , V, 1, 22 and IV, 6, 1). From the time of Hadrian on Legeōn controlled the area from Galilee to Samaria. It was called Maximianopolis in the early 4th century but Eusebius never uses that name. It had Roman camps around it. Now called Lejjūn . There is also an Irbid southwest of Galilee with a synagogue and Roman-Byzantine sherds, but the distance does not fit Onomasticon . Quite possibly Arbela is 'Affule in Roman-Byzantine times.
Arebla in Interpretation of Hebrew Names is "a trap" (79).
38. Aulōn. Deuteronomy 1:1; K. 14:22; L. 236:75.
Textual variant: Tiberias is missing in the Vatican Manuscript. Dubious entry.
Aulon in Roman times came to be identified with the Jordan valley as reflected here in both Eusebius and Jerome. The description here, together with that of Jordan (K. 104:20) is fairly complete.
The valley begins in Libanon (K. 122:27) and reaches south to Pharan (K. 166:12).
Skythopolis is an important city, one of the cities of the Decapolis (K. 80:15), used frequently in the Onomasticon . The listing of all the others is confused but surely included Hippus, Gadara, Abila, Pella, Gerasa and Philadelphia. Skythopolis is identified with Bethshan at Tell al Husn (K. 54.8). It was the capital of Palestina Secunda in Byzantine times.
Lake of Tiberias was in Hellenistic times the sea of Gennesaris and and in the New Testament Gennesaith (K. 58:12 and K. 120:2). Today it is the Sea of Galilee (K. 72:20).
For Ierichō see K. 104:25.
Paneas is used as a referent often in the Onomasticon . A bishop came to Nicea from here. Baniyas today, at the source of the Jordan was also the site of Caesarea Phillippi, also listed as one of the Decapolis ( Historia Ecclesiastica , vii, 17). In Tabula Peutinger it is 32 miles from Tyre.
On the Dead Sea see K. 100:4.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names Jerome says, "Elan, oak or aulon of which we wrote more fully in the Book of Places" (83) and "Ailon which we spoke of under Aulon above (88)."
39. Amalēkitis (Amalecitis). Deuteronomy ?; K. 16:5; L. 237:84.
This is probably the wilderness of Zin in the Old Testament (K. 152:18, cf. Numbers 13:29, 14:25; Josephus Antiquities III, 2, 1) includes the inhabitants of Petra and Gobolitis as the Amalakites. Not an original entry, but a gloss.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "licking people" (61) "dull people or licking people" (74,161).
40. Araba. K. 16:1; Deuteronomy 1:7; L. 237:91.
Textual variant: Safforinea (Latin).