RAPHON, a City beyond Jordan, upon a Brook, not far from Carnaim.
This City is hardly known in Scripture, but by the Victory of Judas Maccabeus over Timotheus. After the Defeat of his Army before the Fortress of Dathman, he assembled a new Army, composed of Arabians, and what other People he could get, to the Number of six-score thousand Foot, and two thousand five hundred Horse. And 1 Macc. xii. 20.having sent the Women and Children, and all the Baggage, into the City of Carnion, or Ashteroth-Carnaim, which was a Place beyond Jordan of very difficult Access, he encamped at Raphon, or perhaps Saphon, beyond and to the North of the Brook Jabbok.
Judas had then but six thousand effective Men: He sent to observe the Enemies Ibid.Army, and Word was brought him, that it was very numerous, and consisted of all the neighbouring Nations; and that Timotheus was preparing to come to attack him. Judas presently march’d to meet him, and pass’d over the Brook at the Head of his little Army. The Enemy was so surpriz’d at this bold Attempt, that they could not stand the Assault, but fled with great Precipitation.
Observations on the Passage of the Brook Jabbok, and the Defeat of Timotheus near Raphon, by Judas Maccabeus. 1 Macc. v. 37,38, &c. 2 Macc. xii. 20, 21, &c.We may observe a surprizing Boldness and Intrepidity in all the Exploits of Judas Maccabeus, and an admirable Conduct in the Execution of them; not only to avoid the Stratagems of his Enemy, but even to make them fatal to themselves. Judas had no sooner Notice that Timotheus had raised a new Army, and that he was posted near Raphon, beyond the Brook Jabbok, but he sent to get Intelligence of this Army; and he was acquainted, that all the Nations round about had repair’d to Timotheus, and made up an extraordinary Army. And so it was indeed, in comparison of that of Judas, since the sacred Author says, that Maccabeus ranged his Army about him, which consisted of six thousand Men, and having divided them into 514 ] Bands, he marched against Timotheus, who had six-score thousand Foot, and two thousand five hundred Horse. The Number of his Enemies does not dishearten him; he hears they are preparing to come to attack him, he does not think proper to stay so long for them, but resolves to prevent them, and to take the Field before them: And this Resolution makes him appear more formidable to his Enemies.
Timotheus, who was well acquainted with Judas’s Valour, seems to have foreseen what would happen; and what he said to the principal Officers of his Army, leaves us no room to doubt of his Cowardice, and the little Bravery he shew’d at the Head of so numerous an Army. When Judas, says he, shall come with his People near the Brook, if he comes over to us first, we shall not be able to oppose his Efforts, because he will have all the Advantage over us. But if he is cautious of passing, and encamps on the other Side the River, let us go over to him and beat him. The learned Commentator says upon this, “That Timotheus intended to draw a Presage of his future Victory, or of his “Defeat, from the free Motion of his “Enemies, which of all Things in the “World is the most uncertain, and the “most superstitious.” I shall make Answer to this, that there is no Superstition in it, and that every Day’s Experience may teach us, that a skilful and prudent General may easily foresee, without being a Prophet, and without being tainted with Superstition, that if the Enemy takes such or such a Step, if he makes such a Motion, he may be beaten; but if he does the contrary, he is assured of Victory. Sometimes dangerous Expedients are resolved on, with a Notion that an unskilful Adversary will not perceive it, and in this one may be mistaken: So that here is an Uncertainty. Often the wisest Measures, built upon the nicest Rules of War, are frustrated by contrary Management, and Methods that were not expected. Because it was not imagin’d, that the Enemy was capable of putting them in Practice, which he often does by Chance, and without Design. M. de Turenne has acknowledged, that upon some Occasions he found himself more perplex’d against an ignorant General, than against one that was very knowing and skilful. But when we are well acquainted with the Genius and Capacity of our Antagonist, we take our Measures against him accordingly, and may be too hard for him, when-ever he makes an Attempt. The second Reflection of the Commentator seems to me more just than the former. ” It must, however, be acknowledged, says he, that Timotheus takes a ” thing for a Presage of his Victory, which ” must shew a kind of Timorousness in ” the Troops of Judas.” If he comes over the Brook we shall be beaten; but if he is afraid to pass it, then we shall beat him. If this General had had more Courage, he would not have contented himself to stay beyond the Brook, with such superiour Forces; nothing would have hinder’d him from going over and meeting Judas, whom doubtless he might have surrounded; but he stay’d for him on the other Side, and was beaten, and that perhaps by his own Miscarriage, that is, by hindering his General Officers of that Victory they might have obtain’d.
Now when Judas came near the Brook, says the sacred Author, he caused the Scribes of the People to remain by the Brook, unto whom he gave Commandment, saying; Suffer no Man to remain in the Camp, but let all come to the Battle. ‘Tis very likely Judas might apprehend, that there were timorous People in his Army, who were discouraged at the great Number of the Enemy, for which Reason he gave out these Orders. Without doubt the Brook was fordable, and Judas having divided his six thousand Men into Companies, under different Captains, that is to say, into several Corps, of a considerable Depth according to Custom, so he went first over unto them, and all the People after him. Judas might be accused of Rashness, in venturing to pass over a River with so few Troops, in the View of an Army of an hundred and twenty-two thousand Men; if we were not assured that he put his whole Strength and his whole Trust in the Lord, for his Protection, and that having such an invincible Support, he durst undertake any thing, and perform’d Prodigies of Valour. This is what the Author of 2 Macc. xii. 22,23.the second Book of Maccabees expresses very well in the manner following. But when Judas his first Band came in Sight, the Enemies (being smitten with Fear and Terrour, through the appearing of him that seeth all Things) fled amain, one running this Way, another that Way, so as that they were often hurt of their own Men, and wounded with the Points of their own Swords. Judas also was very earnest in pursuing them, killing those wicked Wretches, of whom he slew about thirty thousand Men.
In the Maccabees it is a very remarkable thing, that we seldom or never find any Horse in their Armies; we hear of nothing but Infantry, but so brave and so resolute, that they make no Scruple to attack the Enemies Cavalry. And indeed, the great Depth with which they fought, made them impenetrable. As to the Army of Timotheus, I suppose his Foot ranged in a Phalanx, and his Horse upon the Wings, according to the Method of the People of Asia, which was that of all the Western Nations, except the Romans. Judas fell on him vigorously, and with so much Bravery, that he open’d himself a Way into the Heart of the Enemy where-ever he made his Attack, and so put them to flight.