Arbela (IV)

IV. ARBELA, a place spoken of in Hosea x. 14. where we read in the Vulgate, Sicut vastatus est Salmana à domo ejus, qui vindicavit Baal: As Shalman was overcome, by him who made war against him after having destroyed the Altar of Baal. His design is to describe Gideon. See Judg. vi. 25. vii. viii. 10, &c. But the Hebrew imports, As Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battel. Which by some Commentators is explained, as relating to the taking of the City Arbela by Salmanefer. But as this event is not taken notice of in History, it were better to read in this place with S. Jerom and the Alexandrian Manuscript Jerobaal; and understand it, as the Vulgate does, of the victory obtained by Gideon over Zalmunna.

1 Macc. ix. 2.Arbela or Arbah-el¹ signifies very fine countries, countries of God: for which reason we find so many places named Arbela. It is said in the Maccabees, that Bacchides and Alcimus came into Galilee, and incamped at Maseloth which is in Arbela. The city Masal or Misheal was in the Josh. xix. 26.Tribe of Asher, near unto which were very fine fields, and a place called Arbela.

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