Antipatris
Antipatris, located in the Plain of Sharon, is a very ancient royal Canaanite city, known in the Bible as Aphekah[1] or Apheq. It was rebuilt by Herod and renamed in honor of his father Antipater[2].
Inhabitants or Natives
Description
Antipatris is mentioned only once in the entire work of Maria Valtorta, as being the Homeland of the Sanhedrist John of Gahas: "there is John, nicknamed the Antipa of Antipatris, favorite of Herod the Great, now old and powerful, owner of the entire valley of Gahas"[3].
The location of the valley of Gahas remains uncertain. Located south of Timnath-Serah according to the Bible[4], it is probably the valley of Wadi Al Zarka.
Its Name
Afeca, Aphek. It is today Tel Aphek, the modern Ras el-Ain, located in the Plain of Sharon, not to be confused with its homonym in the Decapolis: Afeca.
Apheq means "bed of the flow" referring to the nearby Yarkon springs. Antipatris means "Strength, fortress."
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 463
Learn More About This Place
The geographical location of this city led to violent conflicts, especially with the Philistines who captured the Ark of the Covenant. The book of Samuel recounts that after an initial defeat, Israel sent for the Ark of the Covenant from the sanctuary of Shiloh, which initially frightened the Philistines, but regaining courage they fought again, crushed Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant[5].
Saint Paul, on his way to Caesarea on the Sea, stayed here during his arrest by Felix[6]. Antipatris was indeed situated on the strategic route linking Caesarea to Jerusalem.
The city of Antipatris (Apheq) was destroyed in 363 by an earthquake. Its exact location, long uncertain, seems to have been confirmed by intensive surveys carried out between 1974 and 1985[7].
Explore
- 32° 06’ 21’’ N / 34° 55’ 51’’ E /
- +185m
Notes and References
- ↑ Joshua 13:4.
- ↑ Article partially written from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ EMV 463.10.
- ↑ Judges 2:9 | 2 Samuel 23:30 | 1 Chronicles 11:32 | Joshua 24:30.
- ↑ 1 Samuel 4:1-11.
- ↑ Acts 23:31.
- ↑ Intensive surveys between 1974 and 1985 confirmed the location of Antipatris at Tel Aphek, near the source of the Yarkon in Israel. They revealed massive fortifications, including walls and towers, testifying to the city's strategic importance. (Additional article).