Caphenatha

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Αφεναθά ) , a place apparently close to and on the east side of Jerusalem, which was repaired by Jonathan Maccabaeus ( 1 Maccabees 12:37). The name seems to be derived from כִּפְנַיתָא , Kaphnitha ´ , the Chaldee word for The Unripe Date (Buxtorf, Lex. Talm. col. 1071), and thus has a remarkable correspondence with the names of Bethany (house of dates), Bethphage (house of figs), and of the Mount of Olives itself, on which the three were situated — all testifying to the ancient fruitfulness of the place (comp. Schwarz, Palest. p. 256).