Aphek(aphik)
“Strength or fortress”
Summary
The name of several cities in Palestine, including sites of major battles between Israel and both the Philistines and Syrians.
☩City in Asher
A city in the extreme north of Asher, from which the Canaanites were not expelled. It is also called Aphik and has been identified with the classical Aphaca, famous for its temple of Venus, located on the northwest slopes of Lebanon at modern Afka. This may be the same as the Aphek mentioned on the northern "border of the Amorites."
☩City in Issachar
A city in the tribe of Issachar, not far from Jezreel, where the Philistines twice encamped before battles with the Israelites. This was the site of the disastrous battle in which the sons of Eli were killed and the ark of God was captured. It was also the location of the Philistine camp before the battle in which Saul was killed. This is probably the royal city of the Canaanites whose king was slain by Joshua.
☩City East of Galilee
A walled town on the military road from Syria to Israel, where Ben-hadad was defeated by the Israelites. It was a common location for engagements with Syria and corresponds to the modern village of Fik (or Afik), about six miles east of the Sea of Galilee on the great road between Damascus and Jerusalem. The wall of this city collapsed and killed 27,000 Syrian soldiers.
Related Verses9 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Aphek," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Aphek," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Aphek," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Aphek," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).