Trachonitis
“The rough, rocky region”
Summary
Trachonitis was a rugged volcanic region east of the Jordan, part of the tetrarchy of Philip, identified with the ancient Argob and the modern Lejah.
☩Location and Boundaries
Trachonitis lay east of Gaulanitis (Golan), bordering Auranitis and Batanaea, extending from the southern confines of Damascus to the region of Bostra. The Greek name Trachonitis (from trachon, 'rough' or 'stony') aptly describes the wild volcanic terrain. It corresponds to the modern el-Lejah ('the refuge'), an oval-shaped lava field about twenty-two miles long and fourteen wide, elevated about thirty feet above the surrounding plain.
☩Physical Characteristics
The region consists entirely of a thick stratum of black basalt, appearing as if a sea of liquid rock had been agitated by a tempest, then rent by internal convulsions while cooling. The surface is broken by deep fissures, yawning gulfs, and jagged mounds. Cup-like cavities mark where liquid rock was projected, and the terrain is filled with caves—some of vast extent—that provided shelter for bandits in ancient times. The rock is nearly as hard as iron and filled with air bubbles.
☩History and Robbers
The inhabitants made frequent raids upon the territories of Damascus, taking advantage of the rugged terrain that made pursuit nearly impossible. Augustus took Trachonitis from Zenodorus and gave it to Herod the Great on condition that he suppress the brigands. After Herod's death, it passed to his son Philip, who ruled it as tetrarch until his own death. The region's caves had long sheltered outlaws, a problem that persisted into Roman times when the provincial administration struggled to maintain order.
☩Identity with Argob
The identity of Trachon with the Hebrew Argob (meaning 'heap of stones') is established by the Jewish Targums, which read 'Trachona' instead of 'Argob' in Deuteronomy 3:14 and 1 Kings 4:13. Kenath, one of the sixty cities of Argob mentioned in Chronicles, was located in Trachonitis according to Jerome. This identification connects the rugged volcanic terrain to the ancient territory that Jair conquered, containing sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars.
Related Verses1 mention
Luke· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Trachonitis," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Trachonitis," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Trachonitis," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).