aphek Summary and Overview

(strength), the name of several places in Israel. 1. A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was killed by Joshua, #Jos 12:18| probably the same as APHEKAH in #Jos 15:53| 2. A city, apparently in the extreme north of Asher, #Jos 19:30| from which the Canaanites were not ejected, #Jud 1:31| though here it is APHIK. This is probably the same place as APHEK, #Jos 13:4| on the extreme north "border of the Amorites,"; identified with the Aphaca of classical times, the modern Afka. 3. A place at which the Philistines encamped while the Israelites pitched in Eben-ezer, before the fatal battle in which the sons of Eli were killed and the ark was taken. #1Sa 4:1| This would be somewhere to the northwest of and at no great distance from Jerusalem. 4. The scene of another encampment of the Philistines, before an encounter not less disastrous than that just named, --the defeat and death of Saul. #1Sa 29:1| It is possible that it may be the same place as the preceding. 5. A city on the military road from Syria to Israel. #1Ki 20:26| It is now found in Fik, at the head of the Wady Fik, six miles east of the Sea of Galilee.

A'PHEK (strength), the name of several towns. 1. A royal city of the Canaanites whose king was slain by Joshua. Josh 12:18. It was near Hebron, and probably the same as Aphekah. Josh 15:53. 2. A city of Asher, Josh 19:30, in the north of Palestine, near Sidon, Josh 13:4; supposed to be the same as Aphik, Jud 1:31, and the classical Aphaca, noted in later history for its temple of Venus; now Afka, near Lebanon. 3. A place where the Philistines encamped before the ark was taken, 1 Sam 4:1; north-west of Jerusalem and near Shocho, now Belled el-Foka. 4. A place near Jezreel, in Issachar, where the Philistines were, before defeating Saul, 1 Sam 29:1, and cannot be identified with No. 3, as some have suggested. 5. A walled city in the plains of Syria, on the road to Damascus. 1 Kgs 20:26, 1 Kgs 20:30; 2 Kgs 13:17. It was about 6 miles east of the Sea of Galilee; now called Fik.

("strength".) 1. Same as Aphekah (Joshua 15:58). A Canaanite royal city, the king of which was killed by Joshua (Joshua 12:18). 2. In the extreme N. of Asher (Joshua 19:30). The Aphik from which the Canaanites were not expelled (Judges 1:31). Probably too the Aphek on the N." border of the Amorites" (Joshua 13:4-5), the Aphaca of the classics, famed for Venus' temple, now Afka, on the N.W. slopes of Lebanon; mentioned in company with Baal-Gad, the other northern sanctuary. 3. The place of the Philistines' encampment before the Israelites' defeat in which Eli's sons were killed and the ark was taken (1 Samuel 4); also before the battle in which Saul was slain (1 Samuel 29); on the Philistines' high road to Jezreel. 4. On the road from Syria to Israel (1 Kings 20:25-26), in the level plain E. of Jordan; a common field of battles with Syria. (2 Kings 13:17). Now Fik; at the head of the wady Fik, six miles E. of the sea of Galilee, still on the great road between Damascus, Nabulus, and Jerusalem.