Characa
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
(X Άραξ , Vulg. Characa), a place obscurely mentioned only in 2 Maccabees 12:17 ( Εἰς Τὸν Χάρακα ) , as that to which Judas Maccabaeus retired after his attack of the Nabatheeans. It was on the east of Jordan, being inhabited by the Jews called "Tubieni," or of "Tobie" (see Ton), who were in Gilead (comp. 1 Maccabees 5:9; 1 Maccabees 5:13); and it was 750 stadia from the city Caspin; but where the latter place was situated, or in which direction Charax was with regard to it, there is no clew. Ewald (Isr. Gesch. 4:359, note) places it to the extreme east, and identifies it with Raphon. The only name now known on the east of Jordan which recalls Charax is Kerak, the ancient KIR- Moab, on the S.E. of the Dead Sea, which in post-biblical times was called Χαράκμωβα , and Μωβουχάραξ (see Reland, Palcest. p. 705). The Syriac has Karka, which suggests Karkor ( Judges 8:10).
