I. MEDAN. Some write1 that Medan is the same as Magedan, mentioned in St. Matthew, xv. 39. and that this Word signifies the Waters of Dan, or the Fountain that that gives its Rise to the River Jordan. Josephus2 says, this River takes its Original from a kind of Pool which is at the Foot of the Mountain of Panium, at six Score Furlongs from Cesarea Philippi, and that the Waters of this Lake pass by subterranean Channels near the City of Cesarea, where they form the River Jordan. King Agrippa desirous to know how this Lake discharged it self, called by the Greeks Phiala, that is a Plate or Dish, caused great Quantities of Straw to be thrown into it, which was found five Leagues off in the Canal of the Jordan.
Others3 think that Medan in Arabick signifies a Fair, and that this Name is given to the Lake Phiala, and the Countrey round about, because during the Summer Season there is a Conflux of the neighbouring People, who keep there a perpetual Fair; remaining here because of the Agreeableness of the Place, and its Commodiousness for Merchandize.
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