Aphek

Ay´fek; Heb., “fortress”?; also Aphik, Judg. 1:31

1 A city-state on the coastal plain captured by Joshua (Josh 12:18). Its strategic value was used by the Philistines against hill-based Israelites both at Ebenezer (1Sam 4:1) and at Jezreel (1Sam 29:1). It is modern Ras el ‘Ain, some ten miles east of the Mediterranean coast and west and slightly north of Shiloh. The Herodian-Roman city Antipatris was built there as well. 2 A border town with the Amorites (Josh 13:4), probably modern Afqa, about fifteen miles east of ancient Byblos in Lebanon. 3 A town of the tribe of Asher (Josh 19:30), possibly modern Tell Kerdanah, three miles from Haifa and about six miles southeast of Acco. 4 A site some three miles from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee in the Transjordan, modern Fiq. It marked the location of Ahab’s victories against Syria’s Ben-hadad (1Kgs 20:26-30) and Joash’s defeat of Syria under Elisha’s instruction (2Kgs 13:14-25).