Hauran
“Probably from "caves" (chor), referring to the many cave dwellings”
Summary
Hauran was a volcanic district east of the Jordan, south of Damascus, mentioned by Ezekiel as part of the northeastern boundary of the restored land of Israel and known in Greek times as Auranitis.
☩Geography
Hauran (called Auranitis by Josephus and the Greeks) was a tract of Syria south of Damascus, east of Gaulonitis (Golan) and Bashan, and west of Trachonitis. The name probably derives from the Hebrew word for "caves" (chor), as the region contains numerous cave-dwellings still used today. It is a volcanic region composed of porous tufa, pumice, and basalt, yet produces crops of corn and has patches of luxuriant herbage that attract Arab tribes for summer pasturage.
☩Ancient Settlements
The Hauran contains over a hundred ancient towns and villages, most now deserted but not ruined. The buildings are remarkable—walls of great thickness with stone roofs and doors, clearly of remote antiquity. Under Roman rule, Hauran (Auranitis) was joined with Trachonitis, Batanaea, and Gaulonitis to form the tetrarchy of Philip, which Luke mentions in connection with the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hauran," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Hauran," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hauran," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hauran," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).