Canata
The city of the rich young man.
Inhabitants or natives
Philip of Canatha, the rich young man[1].
Description
There are two possible locations for Canatha, one in Syria, the other in Jordan. Given the clues provided by Maria Valtorta, it is possible to place the Canatha of the rich young man in the Decapolis. Indeed, the caravan "comes from very far away" and Jesus meets it on the road from Docco which connects, through Perea, Syria to Jerusalem. Philip is moreover a Greek name, the language of the Decapolis.
Notable facts
Jesus does not pass through there. It is only mentioned for the episode of the rich young man.
Its name
Canata, Canatha, Gabinia Canatha, Septimia Canatha; Qanawat (Qanaouat)
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 576
Learn more about this place
Throughout the early Decapolis, the Seleucid or Nabatean era Canatha did not play a major role. In 64 BC, when the Romans invaded Coele-Syria and Judea, the city was annexed to the Roman province of Syria. It was restored by General Aulus Gabinius (c. 100-47 BC) and took the name "Gabinia Canatha". It is without doubt on this occasion that it became a city associated with the 2nd Decapolis; later it was renamed "Septimia Canatha"[2].
Excerpt from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère :The rich young man remains anonymous in the Gospels.[3] Maria Valtorta reveals to us his first name, his place of origin, and that he was once a student of Gamaliel: “I am Philip of Canata, son of true Israelites and remained so. Disciple of Gamaliel until the death of my father who entrusted me with his trade. I heard you more than once”2. He has great difficulty detaching himself from his goods, which earns us this advice from the Master: “To enter up there, there must only be treasures of Virtues, immaterial, and one must know how to separate oneself from all attachment to worldly things and vanities”[4] Small town of the Decapolis (current Qanawat) which appears on the Madaba map. The city is mentioned in the Bible[5], and also by Flavius Josephus.
Explore
• 32° 45’ 20’’ N / 36° 37’ 05’’ E
• +1240 m
Notes and references
- ↑ EMV 576.
- ↑ The Cities of the Decapolis: Canatha, Damascus, Dion, Gadara.
- ↑ Mt 19:16-22; Mk 10:17-30; Lk 18:18-23
- ↑ EMV 576,6-7
- ↑ Nb 32:42 and 1 Chr 2:23