Misrephoth-Maim

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Misrephoth-Maim From the Waters of Merom the defeated Canaanites fled to Great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim (  Joshua 11:8 ). It marks the S. boundary of the Zidonians, who had not been driven out by Joshua (  Joshua 13:6 ). The Ladder of Tyre formed a natural limit to the territory of the Zidonians. On the slope of Ras en-Naqûrah , the most southerly of the promontories forming the ‘Ladder,’ is found a site called Musheirifeh , which Thomson ( LB [Note: B The Land and the Book.] ) with great probability identifies with Misrephoth-maim.

W. Ewing.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 11:8 Joshua 13:6

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 11:8

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

miz - rḗ - fōth - mā´im ( מים משׂרפות , misrephōth mayim  ; Septuagint Μασερών , Maserṓn , Μασερὲθ Μεμφωμαίμ , Maseréth Memphōmaı́m ): A place to which Joshua chased the various tribes, which were confederated under Jabin, after their defeat at the waters of Merom (  Joshua 11:8 ). It follows the mention of great Sidon, as though it was a place in the same region but farther from the point of departure. In  Joshua 13:6 , it is also mentioned in connection with the Sidonians, as though it was included in their territory, so it must have been in the coast district, or Phoenicia, which was in that period dominated by Sidon. The Canaanites who were among the tribes forming the hosts of Jabin would naturally seek refuge among their brethren in Sidon and its territory. They fled across the hill country which lies between the waters of Merom and the coast, but as Sidon is situated considerably to the North of Merom, some would seek the coast by a more southerly route, and we may look for Misrephoth-maim there. Dr. Thomson ( LB , II, 266-67, edition 1882) locates it at Ras el - Musheirifeh , some 13 miles South of Tyre, where there was a stronghold, and where the fugitives might find refuge (see Ladder Of Tyre ). Though the name hardly suggests Misrephoth-maim, the identification may be accepted until some better one is found.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb.. Misrephoth'-Mayirm, מַשְׂרְפוֹת מִיַם , Burnings Of Water; according to Kimchi, with allusion to warm baths; but, as Gesenius thinks, from lime- kilns or smelting-furnaces situated near the water; Sept. Μασρεφὼθ Μαϊ v Ν , Vulg. Aquae Maserephoth), a place between Zidon and the valley of Mizpeh, whither Joshua pursued the allied Canaanites after the defeat of Jabin ( Joshua 11:8); from which passage, as well as from the only other where the place is mentioned ( Joshua 13:6), it appears to have been a valley (containing springs or a running stream; see Unger, De Thermis Sidonis, Lips. 1803), situated in the mountainous region, near the northern border of Canaan, opposite Mount Lebanon; probably therefore in the middle portion of the valley of the Leontes-a position that may have given occasion for the name (i.q. glass-houses by the water side, see Keil, Comment. ad loc.) by furnishing facilities for the manufacture of glass (a substance said to have been first invented in ‘ this region) from the sand washed down by the stream. Dr. Thomson (Land And Book, 1:469) still adheres to a location given by him and Schulz (Bibliotheca Sacra, 1855, page 826) at a collection of springs called Ain-Mesherfi, with ruins adjacent on the shore near Ras en-Nakura, at the foot of Jebel Mushakka, on the northern border of the plain of Akka (Van de Velde. Memoir, page 335); but the locality is entirely too far south of Sidon.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Mis´rephoth-ma´im, a place or district near Sidon . The name means 'burnings of water,' which Kimchi understands of warm baths; but more probably it means burnings by or beside the water—either lime-kilns or smelting furnaces situated near water.