Bible Dictionary
Raphon
Raphon was a place in Gilead where Judas Maccabeus defeated the forces of Timotheus. It may have been the same as the city called Raphana by Pliny.
Definition
Raphon was a city or place in Gilead. It is known chiefly as the location of Judas Maccabeus’s defeat of the forces of Timotheus.
Biblical Usage
In 1 Maccabees, Judas inflicted a disastrous defeat on Timotheus’s army at Raphon. The fugitives fled toward the temple at Carnaim.
Historical Background
Raphon is probably the Raphana mentioned by Pliny. It may have been represented by modern Rafeh, east of the pilgrimage road and north of Der‘ah, though the identification remains possible rather than certain.
Scripture References
1Macc 15:37
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a city of Gilead, 1 Macc. 15:37 perhaps identical with Raphana, which is mentioned by Pliny as one of the cities of the Decapolis.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ra'-fon (@Rhapheion]): The place where in his campaign East of Jordan Judas inflicted disastrous defeat on the host of Timotheus, the fugitives fleeing for refuge to the temple at Carnaim (1 Macc 5:37 ff; Ant, XII, viii, 4). The same place is doubtless referred to by Pliny as "Raphana" (NH, v.16). It may possibly be represented by the modern Rafeh, on the East of the pilgrimage road, about 17 miles North of Der`ah, and 11 miles Northeast of Tell el-`Ash`ary. It is a mile and a half North of Wady Kanawat, which would thus be the "brook" mentioned in the narrative. It is perhaps far enough away from Carnaim, if this is rightly placed at Tell el-`Ash`ary.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>