Bible Dictionary
BETH-ZACHARIAS
The site near which Judas Maccabeus was defeated by Antiochus Eupator and Eleazar died fighting an elephant. It was a strongly placed position southwest of Bethlehem.
Definition
Beth-zacharias was a strongly situated position associated with the Maccabean wars. At this place Judas Maccabeus failed in battle against Antiochus Eupator, and his brother Eleazar died while attacking an elephant.
Biblical Usage
Beth-zacharias is mentioned in the account of the battle between Judas Maccabeus and Antiochus Eupator.
Historical Background
The site crowned a promontory between two deep valleys. It still bears the name Beit Zakaria and lies about four miles southwest of Bethlehem.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>beth-zak-a-ri'-as (Baith-zacharia): Here Judas Maccabeus failed in battle with Antiochus Eupator, and his brother Eleazar fell in conflict with an elephant (1 Macc 6:32 ff; the King James Version "Bathzacharias"). It was a position of great strength, crowning a promontory which juts out between two deep valleys. It still bears the ancient name with little change, Beit Zakaria. It lies about 4 miles Southwest of Bethlehem (BR, III, 283 ff; Ant, XII, ix, 4).</p>