Hammath

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Hammath (‘hot spring’). 1. ‘Father of the house of Rechab’ (  1 Chronicles 2:55 ). 2. One of the ‘fenced’ cities of Naphtali (  Joshua 19:35 ), probably the same as Hammon of   1 Chronicles 6:76 and Hammoth-dor of   Joshua 21:32 . It is doubtless the Hamata of the Talmud, the Emmaus or Ammathus of Jos. [Note: Josephus.] ( Ant . XVIII. ii. 3), and the modern Hammâm , 35 minutes’ walk S. of Tiberias, famous for its hot baths.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ham'math. (Warm Springs). One of the fortified cities, in the territory allotted to Naphtali.  Joshua 19:35. It was near Tiberias, one mile distant, and had its name, Chammath , "Hot Baths", because it contained those of Tiberias. In the list of Levitical citie, s given out of Naphtali,  Joshua 21:32, the name of this place seems to be given as Hammoth-Dor .

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A fortified city in Naphtali ( Joshua 19:35). ("hot baths"), namely, of Tiberias. Three Hammam still send up hot sulphureous waters about a mile S. of the modern town, at the extremity of the ancient ruins. In  Joshua 21:32 it appears as the Gershonite Levite city of refuge, Hammoth Dor In  1 Chronicles 6:76 HAMMON, Hammam Tubariyeh (Chabas).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

One of the fenced cities of Naphtali.  Joshua 19:35 . Probably on the south of Tiberias, where there are hot springs (as its name implies). Now called Hummam Ibrahim Basha. The heat of the water rises from 132 to 140 Fahr. See HAMMON.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 19:35 Joshua 21:32 1 Chronicles 6:76  1 Chronicles 2:55

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 19:35

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Chammath', חִמִּת , Warn springs; Sept. Ἀμάθ v.r. [by incorporation of the following name] Ωμαθαδακέθ , Vulg. Emath), one of the "fenced cities" of Naphtali, mentioned between Zer and Rakkath ( Joshua 19:35); generally thought to be the hot spring referred to by Josephus (War, 4:1, 3) under the name Ammaus ( Ἀμμαοῦς ), near Tiberias (Ant. 18:2, 3); which latter is, no doubt, the same with the famous warm baths still found on the shore a little south of Tiberias, and called Hanummani Tubariyteh ("Bath of Tiberias"); properly Hammath-rakkath (? the Yamrim of (en. 36 24). (See Emmaras).

They have been fully described by Robinson (Researches, 3, 258 sq.; see also Hackett's Script. Illust. p. 315). Pliny, speaking of the Sea of Galilee, says, "Ab occidente Tiberiade, aquis calidis salubri" (Hist. Nat. 5, 15). Spacious baths were built over the principal spring by Ibrahim Pasha; but, like everything else in Palestine, they are falling to ruin. Ancient ruins are strewn around it, and can be traced along the shore for a considerable distance; these were recognized by Irby and Mangles (p. 89, b) as the remains of Vespasian's camp (Josephus, War, 1, 4, 3). There are also three smaller warm springs at this place. The water has a temperature of 144 ° Fahr; the taste is extremely salt and bitter, and a strong smell of sulphur is emitted. The whole surrounding district has a volcanic aspect. The warm fountains, the rocks of trap and lava, and the frequent earthquakes, prove that the elements of destruction are still at work beneath the surface. It is said that at the time of the great earthquake of 1837 the quantity of water issuing from the springs was greatly increased, and the temperature much higher than ordinarily (Porter, Handbook for S. and P. 2, 423; Thomson, Land and Book, 2, 66; Wilson, Lands of the Bible, 2, 397; Reland, Palaest. p. 302, 703). This spot is also mentioned in the Talmud (Schwarz, Palest. p. 182) as being situated one mile from Tiberius (Lightfoot, Opp. 2, 224). The Hammoth-Dor of  Joshua 21:32 is probably the same place. (See Hemath); (See Hamion).

The Hamath of Gadara, however, located by the Talmudists (see Lightfoot, ib.) at the mouth of the Jordan, is a different place (see also Zunz, Appendix to Benj. of Tudela, 2, 403); doubtless the AMATHA (See Amatha) (q.v.) of Josephus (Ant. 10: 5, 2), and the modern Amateh on the Yarmuk (Van de Velde, Map).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ham´ath ( חמּת , ḥammāth , "hot spring"):

(1) "The father of the house of Rechab" ( 1 Chronicles 2:55 ).

(2) One of the fenced cities of Naphtali, named with Zer, Rakkath and Chinnereth ( Joshua 19:35 ). It is doubtless identical with Emmaus mentioned by Josephus ( Ant. , Xviii , ii, 3; BJ , IV, i, 3) as near Tiberias, on the shore of the lake of Gennesareth. It is represented by the modern el - Ḥammām , nearly 2 miles South of Tiberias. It was, of course, much nearer the ancient Tiberias, which lay South of the present city. The hot baths here, "useful for healing," in the time of Josephus, have maintained their reputation. In recent years, indeed, there has been a marked increase in the number of sick persons from all parts who visit the baths. The waters are esteemed specially valuable for rheumatism and skin troubles. In the large public bath the water has a temperature of over 140 degree Fahr. Parts of the ancient fortification still cling to the mountain side above the baths; and the remains of an aqueduct which brought fresh water from sources in the Southwest may be traced along the face of the slopes. Hammath is identical with Hammon (  1 Chronicles 6:76 ); and probably also with Hammoth-dor (  Joshua 21:32 ).