BETHSAIDA. The Latin copies of S. John read Bethzaida, instead of Bethesda, speaking of the fish-pool near the sheep market in Jerusalem. But the true reading is Bethesda, as we have observed in the article belonging to this word. There are some who believe, that Jeremiah and the Priests hid the sacred fire in this pool, then without water, where in the time of Nehemiah, instead of fire was found thick water, 2 Macc. i. 20, 21, 22.which being poured upon the Altar of Burnt-offerings, took fire as soon as the sun began to shine upon it. But this opinion is without any solid foundation.
Library / Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible, Complete and Unabridged
Volume I · B
Bethsaida
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Augustin Calmet, O.S.B., “Bethsaida,” in Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible, Complete and Unabridged, English translation, Mind of the Church, https://mindofthechurch.com/works/calmet-dictionary/b/bethsaida/.