47. Azēka (Azeca). Joshua 10:10; K. 18:10; L. 238:16.
Azeka is important Old Testament city in Jouda (cf. Joshua 15:35). It is mentioned in the Lachich letters. The Old Testament site is fairly certain at Tell es-Zakariyeh . This village may be on the Maddba Map west of Sōebō. In the vicinity is the Byzantine town, perhaps at Kh el 'Alami . The Greek location literally means "halfway" to Jerusalem, but this is not precisely intended.
Eleutheropolis is frequently used as a referent by Eusebius. In about 200 A.D. Septimus Severus gave it municipal status. It was a city on which a great many villages were dependent. It was one of the largest regions in Palestina Prima. In Tabula Peutinger and Ptolemy it is called Betogabri and is located 32 miles from Jerusalem. It suffered greatly under Diocletion about 303 A.D. A bisbop attended the Council of Nicea. It is the present Beit jibrin .
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "Azeca, strength or crafty" (88).
48. Ailōm (Aialon). Joshua 10:12; K. 18:13; L. 238:19.
Textual variant: aialun (Latin).
Eusebius, followed by the Madaba Map, seems to be confused with Ailmōn (K. 28:l; cf. Joshua 21:18). This could be 'Almit , east of Tell el Ful or Kh Haiyan both near Rama (K. 144:14) and Gabaa (K. 70:10, 22). The location in reference to Bethel points to Kh el 'alja (cf. I Samuel 10:26, Judges 19:13) to the southeast.
The Hebrew tradition by which Jerome corrects Eusebius is much more reasonable. It fits the biblical materials and is repeated by Jerome in Commentary on Ezekiel 42:22 and Ezekiel 42:22 and Epistle 108:3 (cf. Paula vi, PPT, I,51) This Alous was known by Eusebius (K. 30:27) as in the Nicopolis region. It must then be Jalo , east of 'Amwas on the road to Jerusalem.
Ailōn in Interpretation of Hebrew Names is referred to the previous Aulonem (88) or, for Aialon "fields or valleys" (90).
49. Achōr. Joshua 7:24, 26; K. 18:17; L. 238:23.
Note the error in the Greek where the name of Achan is turned into Achōr and the valley named after him (Hosea 2:15). Procopius and K. 84:18 have an entry under Emekachōr, i.e., "valley of Achōr." Procopius 1017 A writes, "Emekachōr is interpreted by Thedotion and Symmachos, valley of Achōr. Located north of Ierichō it is even now called this by those in the vicinity. Achōr means "perverted." Jerome's Epistle 108:13 and Paula VI, PPT 1, 12) writes "It would be quite lengthy if I would discuss the valley of Achor, i.e. commotion or uproar, where theft and greed were condemned." This is not a city, out of order, so suspect.
It seems obvious that the name of the "place" was known in the fourth century, possibly near Gilgal (K. 84:21). The Wadi Nue 'ime fits Eusebius.
In Interpretation of Hebrew Names "commotion or uproar" (89), "commotion or uproar or perverted" (120).
50. Asēdōth. Joshua 10:40; K. 18:21; L. 238:27.
Cf. K. 16:22 above. This is one of six entries where "another" or "a second" is used for occurrences of the same name, probably indicating editing of several sources.
51. Asōr. Joshua 11:1; K. 20:1; L. 238:29.
Ancient Hazor has been well excavated and the location attested at Tell el Qedah , but Eusebius does not locate it. Procopius 1048D reports, "it alone Iēsous burned while besieging the other kings since it was the chief of the foreigners" (Joshua 11:10 also Joshua 90:9; cf. K. 30:22.
The second Asōr (cf. Esōr K. 84:26) from Joshua 15:25 is near Askolon and probably dependent upon it. It may be present day jasur east of Asbdod (K. 20:18).
Interpretation of Hebrew Names has "arrow of light" (88 and102) and "entrance hall" (109).
52. Aermōn. Joshua 11:3, 17; K. 20:6; L. 238:34.
LXX also uses the term Baalermon. Vatican manuscript has Ailerthmōn.
Again a mountain gives its name to a region which was the frontier of Og and of the tribes. It is part of the Anti-libanas (K. 18:8) range. Also called Sanir (K. 20:10) or Sanior, and Sirjon (see below K. 20:9, cf. Judges 3:3).
The snows of Hermon were famous for delicacies of ice in the course of history. The inhabitants of Beirut still bring snow, even snowmen on radiators of cars, down from the mountains in the summer. Even now it is at times called jebel el teld or "mount of snow," but mostly jebel esh sheikh .
Tyrus (K. 162:15) is also called Sor.
Interpretation of Hebrew Names "banned wall" (88).