Arimathea

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

or Ramah now called Ramle, or Ramla, a pleasant town, beautifully situated on the borders of a fertile and extensive plain, abounding in gardens, vineyards, olive and date trees. It stands about thirty miles north-west of Jerusalem, on the high road to Jaffa. At this Rama, which was likewise called Ramathaim Zophim, as lying in the district of Zuph, or Zoph, Samuel was born, 1 Samuel 1. This was likewise the native place of Joseph, called Joseph of Arimathea, who begged and obtained the body of Jesus from Pilate,

 Matthew 26:57 . There was another Ramah, about six miles north of Jerusalem, in a pass which separated the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which Baasha, king of Israel, took and began to fortify; but he was obliged to relinquish it, in consequence of the alliance formed between Asa, king of Judah, and Benhadad, king of Syria, 1 Kings 15. This is the Ramah, supposed to be alluded to in the lamentation of Rachel for her children.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

( Matthew 27:57). The birthplace or abode of the rich man Joseph, who, by Pilate's leave, which he "boldly" craved, casting away the "fear" which had previously kept him from open discipleship ( Mark 15:43;  John 19:38), buried our Lord's body in his own "new tomb" at Jerusalem. Arimathea, a "city of the Jews" (Luke's vague expression for the Gentiles, to whom no more precise information seemed needful:  Luke 23:51) is possibly identical with Ramah, Samuel's birthplace, called Armathaim in the Septuagint ( 1 Samuel 1:1;  1 Samuel 1:19); but many associate it with Ramleh, on the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Arimathea. (Heights).  Matthew 27:57;  Luke 23:51;  John 19:38. St. Luke calls it "a city of Judea." It is identified by many with the modern Ramleh.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Arimathea ( Ăr-I-Ma-Th Ç'Ah ), The Heights. A city of Palestine, whence came Joseph the counsellor, mentioned in  Luke 23:51. Trelawney Saunders places it east of Bethlehem.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Luke 23:51 Matthew 27:57,60 John 19:38 1 Samuel 1:1,19 Matthew 2:18

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 27:57 Luke 23:51