Ashteroth-Karnaim
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient settlement in the Transjordanian region associated with the Rephaim and later Maccabean history.
âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A location in the land of Bashan mentioned in Genesis 14:5 as the site where Chedorlaomer defeated the Rephaim, and identified in 1 Maccabees 3:49 as a city in Gilead containing a temple of Atargatis that was captured and destroyed by Judas Maccabeus.
What is the meaning of Ashteroth-Karnaim in the Bible?
A location in the land of Bashan mentioned in Genesis 14:5 as the site where Chedorlaomer defeated the Rephaim, and identified in 1 Maccabees 3:49 as a city in Gilead containing a temple of Atargatis that was captured and destroyed by Judas Maccabeus.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the dual references to Ashteroth-karnaim helps readers distinguish between the ancient patriarchal narratives of the Transjordan and the later Hellenistic period conflicts, clarifying the geographical and religious landscape described in both the historical books and the Maccabean accounts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ashteroth-Karnaim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ashteroth-Karnaim clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.