Bible Dictionary
ARBATTA
Arbatta was an uncertain district near Galilee. During the Maccabean period, Simon carried Jews from this area to Jerusalem for protection from heathen attack.
Definition
Arbatta was apparently a district near Galilee. Its precise location is uncertain, and the name may refer to the Arabah, the Araboth of Jordan, or a district southeast of Shechem.
Biblical Usage
During the Maccabean period, Jews endangered by heathen attack were carried from Arbatta to Jerusalem by Simon Maccabeus.
Historical Background
Suggested identifications include el-BaTeicha, the plain through which the Jordan enters the Lake of Galilee, the Arabah, and the toparchy of Akrabattis. None is certain.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ar-bat'-a, ar-bat'-is the King James Version Arbattis, (en Arbattois (plural)): Apparently a district in the neighborhood of Galilee, from which the Jews who were in danger of attack by the heathen were carried by Simon Maccabeus to Jerusalem (1 Macc 5:21 ff). It cannot be identified with certainty. Ewald (Hist, V, 314, English translation) favors el- BaTeicha, the plain through which the Jordan flows into the Lake of Galilee. Encyclopedia Biblica (s.v.) suggests "the Arabah, or Araboth of Jordan." Possibly however we should look for it in the toparchy of Akrabattis, to the Southeast of Shechem (BJ, III, iii, 4 f).</p><p>W. Ewing</p>