Bible Dictionary
ASPHAR, THE POOL
The Pool of Asphar was a pool or cistern in the wilderness near Tekoa where Jonathan and Simon encamped while fleeing Bacchides. Its exact identification is uncertain.
Definition
The Pool of Asphar was a pool or cistern in the wilderness of Tekoa. Jonathan and Simon encamped there when fleeing from Bacchides.
Biblical Usage
It is mentioned in the account of Jonathan and Simon’s flight and encampment in 1 Maccabees.
Historical Background
The pool is probably identified with Ez-Za‘feraneh, a ruined site having an ancient cistern south of Tekoa and east of Chalchul. Bir Selhub has also been proposed.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>as'-far, (lakkos Asphar): When Jonathan and Simon fled from Bacchides they encamped by this pool in the wilderness of Tekoa (1 Macc 9:33; Ant, XIII, i, 2). It is probably identical with Ez-Za`feraneh, a ruined site with an ancient cistern, to the South of Tekoa, and East of Chalchul. Bir Selhub about 6 miles Southwest of `Ain Jidy is favored by some (EB, under the word), the hills around it being known as Cafra, in which there may be a survival of the old name.</p>