Semechon

SEMECHON, or Samechon, a Lake through which the Jordan passes; it is sixty Furlongs long, and thirty broad; that is, about seven thousand five hundred Paces long, and three thousand seven hundred and fifty broad. Some think this is the same Lake that, in Joshua, is call’d the Waters of Merom, or, the Upper Waters; and in Judges, the Canton of Merome¹. But we think Merom to be near Dothaim, and far enough from Semechon. See EUSEBIUS, and our Commentary upon Josh. xi. 5. ‘Tis not known whence the Name Semechon was taken: Some derive it from Samach, which in Arabick signifies a Fish; others, from the Chaldee Word samak, which signifies red, as if the Waters were reddish and turbid. Certain it is, that there was marshy Ground about this Lake: The City of Hazor, where Jabin a King of the Canaanites reign’d, was upon the Side of the Lake Semechon; and afterwards the City of Seleucia was there.

Joseph. de Bello, l. 4. c. 1.The Lake Semechon must be pretty near the City of Dan, and the Fountains of Jordan, and at one hundred and twenty Furlongs from the Lake of Tiberias, towards the South. Josephus says, that the Marshes of this Lake extended even as far as Daphne. But there is great Probability, that, instead of Daphne, it should be read Dane; for he says in the same Place, that the Waters of Jordan fall into this Pool, below the Temple of the Golden Calf. Now it is known, that the Temple of the Golden Calf was at Dan. It is pretty extraordinary, that this Lake should never be took Notice of, or mention’d in any Passage of the Scripture, as we know of. ‘Tis thought that Pliny intended to speak of this Lake, when he says, that there is a Lake at one hundred and fifty Furlongs Plin. l. 12. c. 22.from the Mediterranean, not far from Libanus, where the sweet-scented Reed grows.

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