Casphon
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [1]
kas´fon . See Casphor .
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
(Χασφών v. r. Χασφώρ and Χασφώθ , 1 Maccabees 5:36) Or Cas´ Phor (Χασφώρ v. r. Χασφών and Χάσφωθ, 1 Maccabees 5:26), one of the fortified cities in the "land of Galaad," i.e. Gilead (1 Maccabees 5:26), in which the Jews took refuge from the Ammonites under Timotheus (comp. 1 Maccabees 5:6), and which, with other cities, was taken by Judas Maccabseus (5:36). Josephus, in the parallel account (Ant. 12:8, 3), calls it Chasphoma (Χάσφωμα ). Grotius and Calmet (in loc.) consider it the same (but on very slight grounds) with HESHBON (See Heshbon) (q.v.). It was situated near Bostra, Ashtaroth-Karnaimn, and Edrei, and was perhaps one of the ruined sites in the Hauran still found by travelers. (See Hauran). Seetzen's commentators (notes on pt. 7, March, 1806, 4:198) suggest the modern esSzbâ n as the possible site of Casphon, but add, "Site, however, uncertain." (See Caspis).
