Asademōth (Assaremoth). In Jeremia. In Hebrew "of Sademoth" (is written). Aquila "the suburbs."
Aeniōth. In Jeremia. Aquila "workshop" (or shop).
Alōth (Alaoth). In Jeremia. (For which) in Hebrew Louith (Luith is written).
Aitham (Aethan). In Jeremia. (Which) Aquila (interprets) "firm" ("powerful"). Symmachus "ancient."
Akeldama (Aceldama). "Field of blood." in the Gospels. It is even now pointed out on the north (south side) of Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.
Ainōn (Aenon). "Near Saleim" (Salim), where John baptized according to the Gospel of John. The place is pointed out even now eight miles south of Scythopolis near Salalm (Salim) and the Jordan.
Babel (Which is also) Babylon. Interpreted "confusion." It was the city of Nemrod, king of the giants. Where the tongues of those who designed the tower were confused, whose chief, Josephus affirms, had been Nimrod. He also is a witness to the story about the tower which the Greek Sibylline taught, saying. "The place in which they built the tower" is now called Babylon because of the obvious confusion of their first language. The Hebrews called that confusion Babel. [Because of the confusion of the speech of those who were building the most high tower with all zeal since the Hebrews call confusion Babel.] Concerning this tower and the dialects of man the Sibylline also recalls writing thus. All mankind had one language but some built a high tower so they might climb up to heaven by it. The gods sending winds overturned the tower and gave to each his own (peculiar and unique) language. And so because of this the city is called Babylon."
Baithēl (Bethel). It is now a village twelve miles from Jerusalem to the right of the road going to Neapolis. It was formerly called Oulamma and also Luza. It was given to (the lot of) the tribe of Benjamin, near Bethaven and Gai. Josue also fought there killing the king. [Further, since some hold Ulammaus to be the old form following the error of the Greek volume, they err greatly. Surely the word is Hebrew and they appear to have confused the name of the city with Ulam meaning "first," i.e., former, while Luza really means "almond." So properly Bethel was first called Luza. Neither this nor Bathaun should be looked for in another city since the Hebrews reckoned them to be Bethel. But from the time of Jeroboam, son of Nabat, made there the Golden calves and the ten tribes worshiped there, it has been called Betraun, i.e., "House of God." But we have spoken of this fully in the book Hebrew Questions .]
Bala. "That is Sigor (Segor) It is now called Zoora (Zoara), the only one [of the five cities] of the territory of Sodom [cursed by Lot] which escaped. It is now inhabited (remains still) in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. A garrison of (Roman) soldiers is (stationed) there (a peculiar people crowd in there.) The Balsam and the date palm in the land surrounding it proves the ancient fertility of the place. [Nothing is wrong because Segor is said to be Zoara, for they are the same word for "very little" or "little." It is Segor in Hebrew and Zoara in Syriac. Bala however is interpreted "swallowed." On this we have spoken fully in the book: Hebrew Questions .]
Belanos (Belanus). "Mourning" (i.e., oak) under which Rebecca's nurse died and was buried.
Barad. "Between Cades and Barad the well of Agar is even now pointed out.
Bēthlehem. [City of David. In the lot of the] tribe of Juda (in which our Lord and Savior was born.] It is six miles south of Jerusalem near the road descending to Hebron. There the tombs of Jesse and David are pointed out. [One mile farther. near the tower of Ader, which means "tower of the flock," is where the shepherds heard prophetically of the Lord's birth before it happened. Also near this same Bethlehem is pointed out the tomb of one of the kings of Judaea, Archalaeus, which is reached first on a narrow path diverting from the main highway to our cell.] Also called Bēthleem is the son of Efratha, (i.e. of Mary) according to Paralipomenon (book it is fully spoken. Read the story well!).
Beelsephōn (Beelrefon). Station of the children of Israel near the desert going out of Egypt through the waters, near the Red Sea.
Banēiakan (Baneiacan). Station on the desert in the journey of the people (children of Israel).
Bamōth. City of the Amorrites near the Jordan in the region of the Arnon which the sons of Ruben took.
Basan. [Of which is written above] "Og, king of Basan." This is also the Maachathites who are called Aouth Iaeir (that is resident Iair). And the (half-) tribe of Manasse received it (by lot). Located in the Galaad, it is the region of the Basanites which is now called Batanaia.
Beelphegōr (Baelfegor). (Which is interpreted "idol of shame." It is the idol of Moab which is Baal on Mt.Phogor [which the Latins call Priapus. This is fully discussed in the book Hebrew Questions ].
Baian (Baean). City of the Amorrites which the sons of Ruben took.
Bēthnamran (Bethamnaram). Across the Jordan. Which the tribe of Gad built. There is even now a village Bethnampris five miles north of Livias.
[Betharran. Across the Jordan. Which the tribe of Gad built.]
Beelmeōn. Across the Jordan. Which the sons of Ruben built. There is a large village near the hot waters of Baara [where the water springs freely from the earth] called Beelmaous of Arabia, located nine miles from Hesebon. Eliseus the prophet came from here.
Baal. Across the Jordan. City of the sons of Ruben.
Bouthan (Buthan). Station of the children of Israel in the desert which is also (called) Aitham (Aetham).
Bēla. Eastern boundary of Judaea. Note also the above (named) Arbela.
Bosor. "In the desert," "across the Jordan," (given in the lot to) "the tribe of Ruben," "east of Jericho," a priestly city of refuge. This is Bostra a metropolis of Arabia. There is also another Bosor, city of Esau, now in the hills of Idumea which Isaia mentions saying, "Who is this coming from Edom? The one in red garments from Bosor?"