Bible Dictionary
Hethlon
Hethlon was a place on the ideal northern boundary of Israel described by Ezekiel. The location is uncertain, though it was probably connected with a northern pass or route near Lebanon.
Definition
Hethlon was a place associated with Zedad on the ideal northern boundary of Israel described by Ezekiel. The location is uncertain. The “way of Hethlon” was probably a pass or route leading toward the entrance of Hamath.
Biblical Usage
Hethlon occurs in Ezekiel 47:15 and 48:1 in descriptions of Israel’s northern boundary. The biblical context identifies it as a boundary place and as the starting point of a way or route.
Historical Background
Suggested locations include a place near the northern end of Lebanon, Adlun near the Qasmiyeh, and Heitala northeast of Tripoli. One proposal identifies the way with the Eleutherus valley between Homs and the Mediterranean.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wrapped up, a place on the north border of Palestine. The “way of Hethlon” (Ezek. 47:15; 48:1) is probably the pass at the end of Lebanon from the Mediterranean to the great plain of Hamath (q.v.), or the “entrance of Hamath.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(hiding-place), the name of a place on the northern border of Palestine. (Ezekiel 47:15; 48:1) In all probability the “way of Hethlon” is the pass at the northern end of Lebanon, and is thus identical with “the entrance of Hamath” in (Numbers 34:8) etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>heth'-lon (chethlon; Peshitta chethron): Name of a place associated with Zedad on the ideal northern boundary of Israel, as given in Eze 47:15 and 48:1, but not named in Nu 34:8, while the Septuagint evidently translated the text it had. In accordance with the opinion they hold as to the boundary line of Northern Israel, van Kasteren and Buhl seek to identify Hethlon with 'Adlun on the river Qasmiyeh. Much more in harmony with the line of the other border towns given is its identification with Heitala to the Northeast of Tripoli. The "way of Hethlon" would then coincide with the Eleutherus valley, between Homs and the Mediterranean, through which the railway now runs, and to this identification the Septuagint seems to give testimony, indicating some path of "descent" from the Biqa'a.</p><p>W. M. Christie</p>