Pharathoni

Pharathoni

( Φαραθωνί v.r. Φαραθών ; Josephus, Φαραθώ , Peshito, Pherath; Vulg. Phara), one of the cities of Judica fortified by Bacchides during his contests with Jonathan Maccabeeus ( 1 Maccabees 9:50). In both MSS. of the Sept. the name is joined to the preceding — Tharmnatha-Pharathon; but in Josephus, the Syriac, and Vulgate, the two are separated. Ewald (Geschichte, 4:373) adheres to the former. Pharathon doubtless represents an ancient Pirathon, though hardly that of the Judges, since that was in Mount Ephraim, probably at Ferata, a few miles west of Nablus, too far north to be included in Judaea properly so called.